杏MAP导航

By Lydia O鈥橩ane

In his words to Authorities, Civil Society and the Diplomatic Corps gathered at the Presidential Palace in Riga on Monday morning, the 杏MAP导航 began by recalling Latvia鈥檚 turbulent past and its vibrant present.

Latvia past and present

He said that both the entire country and its capital Riga, had 鈥渒nown difficult social, political, economic and spiritual struggles,鈥� which he noted were, 鈥渢he fruit of past divisions and conflicts, yet today, he added, Latvia was now 鈥渙ne of the principal cultural, political and shipping centres of the region.鈥濃�淟atvia鈥�, has turned its sorrows and pain into singing and dancing, he said, and has sought to become a place of dialogue and encounter, of a coexistence that is peaceful and looks to the future.鈥�

Spiritual roots

This year Latvia is celebrating the centenary of its independence, and with that in mind, 杏MAP导航 Francis commented, 鈥測ou know all too well the price of that freedom, which you have had to win over and over again.鈥� It is a freedom, he continued, made possible thanks to your roots that, as writer Zenta Maurina, 鈥渨ho inspired so many of you, observed, 鈥渁re in heaven鈥�.鈥�
He told those assembled, that the 鈥渟piritual capacity to see more deeply, as expressed in small and daily gestures of solidarity, compassion and mutual assistance, has sustained you and in turn has given you the creativity needed to generate new social processes, despite the currents of reductionism and exclusion that always threaten the fabric of society.鈥�

Ecumenism

During his address, the 杏MAP导航 praised the work of the Catholic Church in the country with regard to its engagement with other Christian churches. He stressed that, this 鈥渃ooperation shows that it is possible to build communion within differences.鈥� He also underlined the importance of solidarity as a way to overcoming division and building lasting unity. To work for liberty, said 杏MAP导航 Francis, 鈥渋s to commit oneself to the integral and integrating development of individuals and the community. If today we can celebrate, it is due to all those who blazed trails and opened a door to the future鈥︹�� and bequeathed to you that same responsibility.鈥�

The theme of this visit to Latvia is, 鈥淪how Thyself a Mother鈥� in honour of the Virgin Mary. Focusing on this theme, the Pontiff spoke of the 鈥渕otherhood of Latvia鈥�, which, he said, was manifested in her ability to promote truly effective strategies centred on the family, and 鈥渢o generate employment opportunities, so that no one will need to be uprooted in order to build a future.鈥�

The 杏MAP导航 concluded, in order to be creative in the present and hopeful for the future, it was important to look to the sacrifice of past generations and imitate their example.