Pope Francis visited Assisi, Italy, and talked with the poor and prayed together. The Pope urged all Christians to reach out to those in need.
(Vatican News Network)Pope Francis left for Assisi, a small town in central Italy, early in the morning on November 12. When the Pope arrived at the Basilica of Our Lady behind the Angels, a poor man presented to the Pope the pilgrim’s cane and cloak, showing that everyone present came to the hometown of Saint Francis as pilgrims.
The pope first silently prayed for a while in the Baozun Hall in the main hall, and then talked with about 500 poor people from all over Europe. The poor are the real protagonists of the day, and most of the poor who are present are homeless, unemployed or immigrants. After the conversation, it was tea time, and everyone at the scene enjoyed snacks.
After that, the pope and the poor returned to the main hall to pray, immersed in hymns and the word of God. At the beginning of the liturgy, the pope pointed out the close relationship between many saints and Assisi, such as Saint Francis, Saint Gala, and Blessed Akoutis. They listen to the voice of God and devote their lives to the poor and the abandoned. The Pope prays that everyone will “renew their will and devote themselves to serving those who need it most in the coming year.”
Before reciting the “Sutra of God”, the pope mentioned that the “Gospel of Mark” recorded that Jesus reminded his disciples that we always have the poor with us (14:3-9), “We should share with the poor with each other Daily food”, don’t be insensitive to them.
Then, the Pope prayed to God, saying: “May the freedom and food you have given never be in short supply, and may all of us follow the example of the self-giving One and give in His way.” The Pope blessed the poor and volunteers present, Prayer said: “Our God and Father, your mercy is endless; please take care of your children, so that under the guidance of your holy words, they will always walk on the path of love. This path of love runs through us because of want and suffering. And the hearts of the suffering brothers and sisters. May your Holy Spirit grant them strength, courage, and perseverance to urge them to extend a helping hand to those in need.”
At the end of the prayer meeting, the Pope gave each of 500 poor people a backpack filled with clothes, shoes, coats and masks. Finally, the Pope blessed a stone taken from Baozun Hall, which will be used in a shelter for the homeless.
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