杏MAP导航

By Linda Bordoni

鈥淚 want to express my gratitude for his testimony鈥� 杏MAP导航 Francis told journalists aboard the papal flight from Skopje to Rome, as he recalled Jean Vanier who died on Tuesday.

As he prepared for the questions put to him during the usual inflight press conference upon his return from an apostolic visit abroad, the 杏MAP导航鈥檚 priority was to pay his heartfelt tribute to the man whom, he said, was able to read and interpret the Christian gaze on 鈥渢he mystery of death, of the cross, of suffering鈥�, on 鈥渢he mystery of those who are discarded by the world鈥�.

Jean Vanier, who gave up a career in the Navy to follow in the footsteps of Christ, was the founder of two international organizations for people with intellectual disabilities: 鈥淟鈥橝rche鈥� and 鈥淔aith and Light鈥�. He advocated for marginalized people for over five decades, highlighting the profound teachings and the gifts that they offer.    

The 杏MAP导航 said he knew of Vanier鈥檚 illness through Sister Genevieve who kept him informed.

鈥淎 week ago I called him on the phone, he listened to me, but he could barely speak鈥� he said.

杏MAP导航 Francis said that Jean Vanier worked 鈥渘ot only for the least but also for those who, even before being born,鈥� risk being condemned to death.

鈥淗e spent his life in this way鈥� the 杏MAP导航 concluded: 鈥淭hank you to him and thank you God for having given us a man of such great witness鈥�.