杏MAP导航

By Vatican News

The beaches of Mozambique stretch for nearly 2,500 kilometers along the warm Indian Ocean, making it the 4^th longest coastline in the world. Nearly half of the nation鈥檚 land mass is covered by forests that offer a unique biodiversity.

Perhaps that is why the 杏MAP导航 began his first official address in Mozambique by describing the country as 鈥渂lessed by natural beauty and by a great cultural richness鈥�.

Words of closeness and solidarity

His next words were of 鈥渃loseness and solidarity鈥� for all those struck by cyclones Idai and Kenneth, 鈥渨hose devastating effects continue to be felt by so many families鈥�. 鈥淪adly, I will not be able to go personally to visit you鈥�, said 杏MAP导航 Francis, 鈥渂ut I want you to know of my own participation in your anguish and suffering, and the commitment of the Catholic community to respond to this most difficult situation鈥�. 

The cyclones hit Mozambique in March and April, leaving hundreds of people dead and thousands homeless. Flooding and an outbreak of cholera continue to affect over one million people.

Words of peace and reconciliation

But the 杏MAP导航 dedicated the greatest part of his discourse to what he called 鈥渢he efforts made in recent decades to ensure that peace is once more the norm and reconciliation the best path to confront the difficulties and challenges that you face as a nation鈥�.

杏MAP导航 Francis was referring to the peace agreement signed just a month ago, guaranteeing a definitive cessation of military hostilities between Mozambique government forces and those of the RENAMO opposition party. The first agreement that ended a 17-year long civil war that killed over one million people, was signed in Rome in 1992, with the mediation of the Sant鈥橢gidio lay movement.

鈥淵ou have experienced suffering, sorrow and affliction鈥�, said the 杏MAP导航, 鈥渂ut you have refused to let human relationships be governed by vengeance or repression, or to allow hatred and violence to have the final word鈥�. 杏MAP导航 Francis confirmed how 鈥渢he pursuit of lasting peace is a mission鈥�, one that depends on everyone and that calls for 鈥渟trenuous, constant and unremitting effort鈥�.

Words of hope and encounter

杏MAP导航 Francis went on to praise the advances made 鈥渋n the fields of education and health care鈥�, and he encouraged the authorities present 鈥渢o ensure that no one feels abandoned, especially young people. These young people 鈥渁re not only the hope of this land鈥�, said the 杏MAP导航, 鈥渢hey are also its present鈥�. 45% of Mozambique鈥檚 population is under the age of 15.

The 杏MAP导航 also encouraged a 鈥渃ulture of encounter鈥� that acknowledges others, creates bonds, and builds bridges. Memory, he said, is 鈥渁 path opening up towards the future, leading to the attainment of common goals, shared values and ideas that can help to overcome narrow corporate or partisan interests鈥�. 

A nation greatly blessed

杏MAP导航 Francis concluded by again describing Mozambique as 鈥渁 nation greatly blessed鈥�. 鈥淵ou have a special responsibility to care for this blessing鈥�, he said. 鈥淧rotection of the land is also the protection of life鈥�. A culture of peace, the 杏MAP导航 told his audience, 鈥渋mplies a productive, sustainable and inclusive development, where all Mozambicans can feel that this land is theirs, where they can establish relations of fraternity and equity with their neighbours and all their surroundings鈥�.