Pope Francis asks the Holy Virgin Mary "...with her motherly presence, also help the Church today to give good witness to the Gospel."

VISIT OF THE HOLY FATHER FRANCIS
AT THE EARTHQUAKE AREAS OF THE DIOCESE OF CAMERINO-SANSEVERINO MARCHE

POPE FRANCIS
ANGELUS

Sunday, June 16, 2019

Yesterday, in Pozzomaggiore, in Sardinia, Blessed Edvige Carboni was proclaimed, a simple woman of the people who embraced the Cross in her humble everyday life, bearing witness to faith and charity. We give thanks for this faithful disciple of Christ, who spent all his life in the service of God and neighbor. A round of applause for the new Blessed, all!

We want to remember the refugees in particular, on the occasion of the World Day that the United Nations dedicates to them. This anniversary invites everyone to solidarity with men, women and children fleeing wars, persecution and violations of fundamental rights. May our ecclesial and civil communities be close to them and attentive to their needs and sufferings.

I am also following with concern the growing tensions in the Persian Gulf. I urge everyone to use diplomacy tools to solve the complex problems of conflicts in the Middle East. I also renew a heartfelt appeal to the international community to make every effort possible to foster dialogue and peace.

At the end of this celebration, I cordially greet all of you present here. I extend my greeting with affection to the sick, to the elderly, to prisoners, and to all those who, through radio and television, have united spiritually to this Holy Mass. I express my heartfelt thanks to all those - institutions, organizations, associations and individuals - who have worked for my brief but intense visit, generously collaborating with the Archdiocese of Camerino-San Severino Marche. I would like to send a special greeting and encouragement to the inhabitants of San Severino Marche, who will greet their city from above by helicopter.

Dear brothers and sisters, may you walk together in the path of faith, hope and charity, faithful to the many testimonies of holiness your land is rich with. I think, among others, of San Venanzio, San Severino, Sant’Ansovino, San Nicola da Tolentino, San Pacifico, and Beata Battista Varano. I am also thinking of the numerous figures of "saints next door" who are not beatified or canonized, but who have supported - and argue - and transformed families and communities with the strength of their Christian life.

And now let us recite together the prayer of the Angelus. I entrust the entire Diocesan Community to the Holy Virgin, whom you venerate in numerous Shrines and whom you invoke especially with the title of Santa Maria in Via. May she, who animated the first community of Jesus' disciples with her motherly presence, also help the Church today to give good witness to the Gospel.

Angelus Domini ...