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Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - Exactly one year after the renewed conflict in the Holy Land between Israel and Palestine, Pope Francis, during the opening Mass of the XVI General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, calls for a day of prayer, fasting and penance for peace in the world on October 7.
"Let us take up this synodal journey with a gaze fixed on the world, because the Christian community is always at the service of humanity to announce to all the joy of the Gospel. It is needed above all in this dramatic hour of history when the winds of war and flames of violence continue to destroy entire peoples and nation. Next Sunday I will go to the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, where I will pray the Rosary and address a heartfelt plea to the Virgin. I also ask you to join me on that occasion. The following day, October 7, I invite you to experience a day of prayer and fasting for peace in the world" said Pope Francis.
Synod: contributions are not agendas that we want to impose, but gifts that we share
In his homily, Francis also recalled that the Synod "is not a parliamentary assembly, but a place of listening in community". Specifically, the Pope's wish was: "Let us be careful not to see our contributions as points to defend at all costs or agendas to be imposed, but rather to see their personal contribution to the synod proceedings as a gift to be shared, ready even to sacrifice our own point of view in order to give life to something new, all according to God’s plan".
Otherwise, "we will end up locking ourselves into dialogues among the deaf, where participants seek to advance their own causes or agendas without listening to others and, above all, without listening to the voice of the Lord. The solutions to the problems we face are not ours, but the Lord's," said the Pope.
Addressing all those who will take part in the work of the Synod Assembly, he finally said: "The more we realize that we are surrounded by friends who love, respect and appreciate us, friends who want to listen to what we have to say, the more we will feel free to express ourselves spontaneously and openly". (F.B.) (Agenzia Fides, 2/10/2024)
