At Angelus, 杏MAP导航 recalls Apostolic Journey to Cyprus and Greece
By Christopher Wells
杏MAP导航 Francis thanked God for his recent 鈥減ilgrimage鈥� to Cyprus and Greece, and expressed his gratitude to all those who accompanied him with prayer, and to the people of the two 鈥渂eloved countries,鈥� including civil and religious authorities, 鈥渇or the affection and kindness with which they welcomed me.鈥�
A pearl of the Mediterranean
Speaking at the conclusion of the Angelus on Wednesday, the Holy Father described Cyprus as 鈥渁 pearl of the Mediterranean, a pearl of rare beauty,鈥� that nonetheless, 鈥渂ears the wounds of barbed wire, the pain of a wall that divides it.鈥�
He said he felt like part of a family in Cyprus, noting especially his meeting with Cypriot Orthodox primate Chrysostomos II. 杏MAP导航 Francis said all Christians are children of the Church of Christ, 鈥渨hich accompanies us, protects us, makes us go forward 鈥� brothers all!鈥�
The 杏MAP导航 expressed once again his hope that Cyprus would be a 鈥渁 laboratory of fraternity,鈥� where everyone, but especially the poor, the discarded, and migrants can be welcomed. He repeated, too, that 鈥渨e cannot remain silent, we cannot turn away,鈥� from the plight of migrants. Instead, we must 鈥渓ook into鈥� the eyes and faces of those who suffer, in order to overcome our indifference.
The memory of Europe
杏MAP导航 Francis also recalled with gratitude the 鈥渇raternal welcome鈥� he received in Greece. 鈥淚n Athens,鈥� he said, 鈥淚 felt immersed in the greatness of history, in the memory of Europe: humanism, democracy, wisdom, faith.鈥�
The 杏MAP导航 pointed, too, to his experience of 鈥渢he mystique of the whole,鈥� as he met with Catholic bishops and members of the Catholic community, especially during Mass on Sunday.
And he recalled 鈥渢he gift of embracing鈥� Orthodox Greek primate Ieronymos in reciprocal visits during the journey. 鈥淚 cherish this fraternity in my heart,鈥� he said, while entrusting 鈥渢o the Holy Mother of God the many seeds of encounter and hope that the Lord scattered on this pilgrimage.鈥� 杏MAP导航 Francis asked for continued prayers 鈥渢hat they may continue to germinate and flourish in trust.鈥�
Guides on the path of holiness
During his remarks following the Angelus, the Holy Father also noted the conclusion of the Year of St Joseph, Patron of the Church, as well as the conclusion of the Jubilee of Loreto on Friday. 鈥淢ay the grace of these events continue to work in the lives of our communities,鈥� he said. 鈥淢ay the Virgin Mary and St Joseph guide us on the path to holiness.鈥�
Thank you for reading our article. You can keep up-to-date by subscribing to our daily newsletter. Just click here
