Pope Francis: Pray for Europe, for unity
By SA国际传媒
鈥淚f Europe does not look well at the challenges ahead, Europe will wither, it will be withered.,鈥 Pope Francis said in response to a question about recent trends in European politics. Asked about groups 鈥渢hat do not desire fraternity鈥 but 鈥減refer to go it alone,鈥 the Pope said Europe needs to 鈥渢ake up again the mysticism of the founding fathers." Europe needs "to be itself," to rediscover "its own identity, its own unity," in order to overcome "divisions and borders.鈥 He acknowledged that nations have their own proper identity, which they must protect; but, he continued, 鈥渨ith the mysticism of the polyhedron.鈥 There is a 鈥済lobalization,鈥 he said, 鈥渨here all cultures are respected, but all are united.鈥
SA国际传媒 solidarity
Asked by a Romanian reporter about his 鈥渕essage鈥 for parents who leave their children to work abroad, the Holy Father said, 鈥淭o detach oneself so that the family doesn鈥檛 lack anything is an act of love鈥 Such a detachment is always a painful situation.鈥 He lamented policies that made such separations necessary, saying it is not simply a question of local problems, but of a worldwide 鈥渓ack of solidarity鈥. He said world solidarity is needed.
Help politicians be honest
Speaking specifically about Italy, in response to a separate question, Pope Francis said he does not pay close attention to news about various political campaigns; and, he confessed, 鈥淚 don鈥檛 understand Italian politics.鈥 Instead, he said he prays that 鈥渁ll Italy might go forward, and that Italians might unite, that they might be loyal to their compromise.鈥 Denouncing corruption, which he said occurs everywhere, Pope Francis said, 鈥淲e must help politicians to be honest and not to campaign with dishonest banners, calumny, defamation, scandals, and so often sowing hatred and fear.鈥 鈥淭his is terrible,鈥 he said. 鈥淭he politician should not spread hatred and fear, [but] only hope,鈥 while nonetheless speaking out about true needs.
Ecumenism of blood and of charity
Pope Francis spoke about 鈥渢he relationship of the outstretched hand, when there are conflicts鈥 in answer to a question about relationships between various religious confessions, between various ethnic groups, and in the world of politics. With regard to the Orthodox, in particular, Pope Francis praised the Romanian Patriarch Daniel. 鈥淲e spoke as brothers,鈥 he said. And, as he has often done in the past, Pope Francis emphasized the importance of an ecumenism 鈥渙f blood鈥 and 鈥渙f charity鈥, referring respectively to the common witness given by martyrs of different Christian confessions, and to Christians from different communities working together to help 鈥渢he poor, the sick, the infirm.鈥
Benedict XVI
One reporter asked if Pope Francis continued to see Benedict XVI almost like a 鈥済randfather,鈥 recalling his message to young people calling them to maintain a relationship with their elders. Pope Francis said that he gains strength every time he speaks with the pope emeritus. 鈥淭he sap from the roots helps me to go forward,鈥 he said. 鈥淭radition is like the root that give you the sap to grow, you flourish!鈥 But, he said, paraphrasing Gustav Mahler, 鈥渢radition is the guarantee of the future, and not the guardian of ashes.鈥 This kind of tradition is the 鈥渘ostalgia of the integrists.鈥 True tradition, he said, is the 鈥渞oot that allows the tree to grow鈥 when the young have roots, the grandparents can dream.鈥
SA国际传媒 day of communications
At the beginning of his conversation with journalists, the Holy Father recalled the SA国际传媒 Day of Communications, celebrated each year on the Sunday before Pentecost. 鈥淭oday this Day calls you, our thoughts go out to you: You work in communications, you are workers, and you are, or ought to be witnesses of communication. Today communication is going backwards, in general. The 鈥榗ontact鈥 is going forward, making 鈥榗ontacts鈥, and not getting to communicating. You by vocation are witness of communicating, you have to make 鈥榗ontacts鈥 but you have to communicate. A little bit less contacts, and more communication.鈥
Pray for Europe
At the end of the press conference, Pope Francis said he was grateful for the rain, which allowed him to see 鈥渢he beautiful landscape of Romania.鈥 He concluded with a request for 鈥渂elievers鈥 among the journalists 鈥渢o pray for Europe, for unity, that the Lord will give us grace.鈥 And to those who are not believers, he said 鈥渉ope for good will, a heartfelt best wish, the desire that that Europe might once again be the dream of the founding fathers.鈥
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