杏MAP导航

By Linda Bordoni

As he prepares to undertake his 22^nd apostolic visit abroad, 杏MAP导航 Francis has sent a message to the people of Chile and Peru in which he expresses his closeness and the embrace of the whole Church.

The 杏MAP导航 is scheduled to depart on the two-legged journey on 15^th January and return to the Vatican on 22^nd.

Theme of Peace and Hope

鈥淚 will visit you as a pilgrim of the joy of the Gospel鈥� 杏MAP导航 Francis says, to share "the peace of the Lord" with all and "to confirm you in the same hope". Peace and hope, shared among all as illustrated by the official logos of the journey he is about to undertake.

鈥淚 want to meet you, to look into your eyes, see your faces and, he continues, be able to experience the closeness of God among all of you, His tenderness and mercy that embraces and comforts us鈥�.

Theme of love and mercy for those in need

And highlighting another leitmotif of his visit, the 杏MAP导航 praises the people he is about to be hosted by for the love they demonstrate towards those in need.

鈥淓specially, he says, for the love you demonstrate towards those who are discarded by society.鈥�

As the culture of waste dominates us more and more, he says, I want to tell you that you are not alone, that the 杏MAP导航 is with you, that the whole Church embraces you, that the Church sees you.

Theme of peace

Expressing his desire to experience the gift of peace, which he says, is founded on justice and allows us to find opportunities to share communion and harmony, Francis concludes his message pointing out that only by being a living community and by taking concrete steps of friendship and fraternity can we be brothers and sisters who come out to meet others to confirm one another in the same faith and hope.

鈥淪ee you soon鈥� he says, and鈥� please do not forget to pray for me!