杏MAP导航

By Vatican News staff reporter

In his speech to the priests of the Pontifical Lombard Seminary of Saints Ambrose and Charles in Urbe on Monday, the 杏MAP导航 drew inspiration from the figure of 杏MAP导航 Pius XI.

He noted that the Successor of Peter had attended this seminary, located just a stone鈥檚 throw from the Roman Basilica of St Mary Major, and had been one of its first pupils.

A great gesture

As soon as he was elected one hundred years ago, noted 杏MAP导航 Francis, Pius XI wanted his first blessing to be addressed Urbi et Orbi, to the city of Rome and to the whole world.

鈥淲ith this gesture, he reminds us that we need to open up, to expand the horizon of ministry to the dimensions of the world, to reach out to every child, whom God wishes to embrace with his love,鈥� said the 杏MAP导航.

In off-the-cuff remarks, 杏MAP导航 Francis commented, 鈥淒o not forget that God never tires of forgiving. It is we who tire of asking for forgiveness.鈥�

A world waiting for the Gospel

He then urged those present not to remain 鈥渂arricaded in the sacristy" and not to "cultivate small closed groups.鈥�

杏MAP导航 Francis told them there was a world 鈥渨aiting for the Gospel,鈥� and went on to say that what was needed was 鈥渢he testimony of life.鈥�

鈥淏e priests burning with the desire to bring the Gospel to the streets of the world, in neighbourhoods and homes, especially in the poorest and most forgotten places,鈥� he said.

What can I offer the Lord?

Drawing further inspiration from Pius XI, 杏MAP导航 Francis recalled his predecessor鈥檚 first papal homily, in which he invited people to ask themselves a question: "What can I offer the Lord?"

鈥淲hat can I offer?鈥� is a question that asks you to open your heart to availability and service, the 杏MAP导航 said.

The central point of this, he underlined, is 鈥渢o be Church in order to live and spread the Gospel,鈥� and to have 鈥渁n open, willing, missionary heart.鈥�

Inequality

Finally, 杏MAP导航 Francis again took his cue from his predecessor, recalling a phrase from Pius' encyclical : "It is obvious that not only is wealth concentrated in our times but an immense power and despotic economic dictatorship is consolidated in the hands of a few[...]鈥�

鈥淗ow true and how tragic this is now,鈥� said the 杏MAP导航, 鈥渨hen the gap between the few rich and the many poor is ever wider.鈥�

杏MAP导航 Francis highlighted that in 鈥渢his context of inequalities,鈥� which have increased during the pandemic, the priests needed to be 鈥渨eavers of communion, eradicators of inequality,鈥� as well as being competent and courageous 鈥渋n raising prophetic words in the name of the voiceless.鈥�

Great tasks await you

In conclusion, the 杏MAP导航 told the seminarians present, 鈥淕reat tasks await you.鈥�

He also invited them to help build a Church 鈥渢hat is more faithful to the spirit of the Gospel, more free, more fraternal and joyful in bearing witness to Jesus.鈥�