杏MAP导航

By Christopher Wells

杏MAP导航 Francis was able to hit on some of the key themes of his papacy during his whirlwind, one day-visit to the country of North Macedonia.

In his first address, to leaders of civil society, 杏MAP导航 Francis noted North Macedonia鈥檚 position as a meeting place for various cultures and religions. In particular, he praised the country for having found 鈥渁 peaceful and enduring coexistence鈥� rooted in the 鈥渕ulti-ethnic and multi-religious countenance鈥� of the people, which he called the nation鈥檚 鈥渕ost precious patrimony鈥�.

A part of that national heritage is the figure of Saint Teresa of Calcutta, known throughout the world simply as 鈥淢other Teresa鈥�. 杏MAP导航 Francis emphasized her roots in Skopje, where Mother Teresa was raised in a family and in a community, and where she learned 鈥渢o love those in greatest need鈥�. The Holy Father held her up as an example for all of us to love 鈥渢he poor, the abandoned, the marginalized, and migrants鈥� not only with words, but with concrete, effective actions.

Speaking especially to the Catholic faithful (a minority comprising less than one percent of North Macedonia鈥檚 population) 杏MAP导航 Francis emphasized the need to spread the message of love, hope, and unity in diversity first and foremost by their example. In his address to Catholic priests 鈥� including married Eastern Catholic priests with their families 鈥� and religious men and women, 杏MAP导航 Francis used the scriptural example of Mary anointing the feet of Jesus with spikenard, to show how a little fragrance can fill a whole house, and illustrate how a small, but vibrant, Catholic community can inspire the life of the whole nation.

The 杏MAP导航 touched on the importance of roots in families, cultures, communities, in his address to a diverse group of young people. Repeating a theme dear to his heart, he encouraged them to speak to their elders, to learn their own history from them, in order to go forth into the world.

In that address, 杏MAP导航 Francis called on the young people to 鈥渄ream big鈥�, calling to mind once again the example of Mother Teresa, who was able to love in a big way precisely because she dreamed in a big way.

鈥淵ou can never dream too much!鈥� the Holy Father insisted. And his brief visit to North Macedonia once more shone a spotlight on 杏MAP导航 Francis鈥� 鈥渂ig dreams鈥� 鈥� for the Church, and for the world.