Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - "To all parties involved, I make a heartfelt appeal: may all weapons be silenced and may a sincere and inclusive dialogue be opened, that may ensure a lasting peace," said Pope Francis at the end of the Angelus prayer with the pilgrims and believers gathered in St. Peter's Square, referring to the ongoing civil war in Myanmar.
The Pope recalled that tomorrow, November 25, Myanmar will celebrate its national feast day, in memory of the first student protest in 1920, "that set the country on its way to independence, and in the prospect of a peaceful and democratic season that it is still struggling to achieve today."
He expressed his sympathy to the entire population of Myanmar, "particularly to those who are suffering for the ongoing fights, especially my closeness to the most vulnerable: to the children, the elderly, the sick and all refugees, including the Rohingya," said the Pope.
Before the blessing, the Pope commented on the Gospel of the day (cf. John 18:33-37), i.e. the passage "Jesus before Pontius Pilate," and analyzed the conversation that took place between the two. Through Pilate's questions and the Lord's answers, two words in particular are transformed, acquiring new meaning. Two words: the word “king” and the word “world.” ."
Pilate wanted to understand whether the man in front of him is potentially threatening." Jesus, said the Pope, "claims to be king, yes, but in quite another way! Jesus is a king insofar as he is a witness: he is the One who speaks the truth. The kingly power of Jesus, the Word incarnate, lies in his true word, in his effective word, that transforms the world."
But Pontius Pilate's “world”, the Bishop of Rome continued, "is one where the strong triumph over the weak, the rich over the poor, the violent over the meek. A world, in other words, which we know well, unfortunately". On the contrary, "the world, of which Jesus is King, redeems creation ruined by evil with the power proper to divine love. Jesus saves creation, because Jesus liberates, Jesus forgives, Jesus brings peace and justice".
"Let us try to ask ourselves – everyone ask themselves in their own heart: can I say that Jesus is my “king”? Or do I have other “kings” in my heart? In what sense? Is His Word my guide, my certainty? Do I see in Him the merciful face of God who always forgives, always forgives, who is waiting for us to give us his forgiveness? Let us pray together to Mary, the handmaid of the Lord, as we await the Kingdom of God with hope", Pope Francis concluded. (F.B.) (Agenzia Fides, 24/11/2024)
