Pope Francis says "...during the pandemic, many heroes have shown faith, hope, and generous dedication born of God's love printed on the nature of each man."
MESSAGE FROM THE HOLY FATHER FRANCIS
TO THE V INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE FOR WORLD BALANCE
[Havana, January 24-28, 2023]
Dear delegates:
For yet another year, they meet at this Conference to commemorate the birth of José Martí, presenting his figure as an incentive to awaken the consciences of all those in the world who are called to create a climate of dialogue and fraternity that can promote significant changes in the current circumstances. social and political.
Such circumstances, as I expressed in my last address to the Diplomatic Corps accredited to the Holy See, give cause for alarm and should arouse in us an interest in this change of direction. To do this, however, I consider it important that our gaze is not fixed so much on what each one of us, with the best of intentions, could propose, but rather on the absolute need to sit down and listen to others. It is urgent to build bridges that can help us find viable solutions together that do not exclude anyone. Everything from dialogue and with the broad horizon of universal brotherhood (cf. Encyclical Letter Fratelli tutti, 142).
I have been struck by rereading a few words by José Martí before the tomb of the venerable Félix Varela, which may be significant in this context. Martí certainly admires Varela's love for his land and his gallantry in denouncing what he considers incompatible with social good —"he said without fear what he saw"—, but, at the same time, he highlights his meekness, an essential virtue of the ruler, that should guide the social and political dialogue: "without going crazy or rushing", having "just respect" for our interlocutor in order to reach an agreed solution (cf. Before the tomb of Father Varela, in Patria, August 6, 1892).
It is a question, then, of looking at the past, of not denying our roots, which lead us to learn from our elders, of the faith that moved them, of the coherence of life that this faith imposed on them, of that dedication to the people that it is nothing other than the Lord's mandate to love us as He has loved us (cf. Jn 13:34-35). Starting from these roots, Martí affirms how the figure of Father Varela is capable of arousing wills for a common effort.
In that writing there is talk of paying homage to Father Varela by building a monument to him. It is a laudable attitude, but beyond the historical data, it would do us all good to also reflect on whether these models are actually used as an example of values or rather a banner of interests.
Dear delegates, in the Message for this year's World Day of Peace, I took up this crucial idea: during the pandemic, many heroes have shown faith, hope, and generous dedication born of God's love printed on the nature of each man (cf. Gn 1,26.27). They call on us, like the heroes who summon them today, «to put the word “together” back in the center; Indeed, it is together, in fraternity and solidarity, that we can build peace, guarantee justice and overcome the most painful events» (n. 3). This is the key to recovering the balance that gives your meeting its name, because only together can we face the various moral, social, political and economic crises that we are suffering and that are all interconnected (cf. n. 5).
May these wishes help you in the work you undertake for the good of all men.
Vatican, January 20, 2023
Francisco
TO THE V INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE FOR WORLD BALANCE
[Havana, January 24-28, 2023]
Dear delegates:
For yet another year, they meet at this Conference to commemorate the birth of José Martí, presenting his figure as an incentive to awaken the consciences of all those in the world who are called to create a climate of dialogue and fraternity that can promote significant changes in the current circumstances. social and political.
Such circumstances, as I expressed in my last address to the Diplomatic Corps accredited to the Holy See, give cause for alarm and should arouse in us an interest in this change of direction. To do this, however, I consider it important that our gaze is not fixed so much on what each one of us, with the best of intentions, could propose, but rather on the absolute need to sit down and listen to others. It is urgent to build bridges that can help us find viable solutions together that do not exclude anyone. Everything from dialogue and with the broad horizon of universal brotherhood (cf. Encyclical Letter Fratelli tutti, 142).
I have been struck by rereading a few words by José Martí before the tomb of the venerable Félix Varela, which may be significant in this context. Martí certainly admires Varela's love for his land and his gallantry in denouncing what he considers incompatible with social good —"he said without fear what he saw"—, but, at the same time, he highlights his meekness, an essential virtue of the ruler, that should guide the social and political dialogue: "without going crazy or rushing", having "just respect" for our interlocutor in order to reach an agreed solution (cf. Before the tomb of Father Varela, in Patria, August 6, 1892).
It is a question, then, of looking at the past, of not denying our roots, which lead us to learn from our elders, of the faith that moved them, of the coherence of life that this faith imposed on them, of that dedication to the people that it is nothing other than the Lord's mandate to love us as He has loved us (cf. Jn 13:34-35). Starting from these roots, Martí affirms how the figure of Father Varela is capable of arousing wills for a common effort.
In that writing there is talk of paying homage to Father Varela by building a monument to him. It is a laudable attitude, but beyond the historical data, it would do us all good to also reflect on whether these models are actually used as an example of values or rather a banner of interests.
Dear delegates, in the Message for this year's World Day of Peace, I took up this crucial idea: during the pandemic, many heroes have shown faith, hope, and generous dedication born of God's love printed on the nature of each man (cf. Gn 1,26.27). They call on us, like the heroes who summon them today, «to put the word “together” back in the center; Indeed, it is together, in fraternity and solidarity, that we can build peace, guarantee justice and overcome the most painful events» (n. 3). This is the key to recovering the balance that gives your meeting its name, because only together can we face the various moral, social, political and economic crises that we are suffering and that are all interconnected (cf. n. 5).
May these wishes help you in the work you undertake for the good of all men.
Vatican, January 20, 2023
Francisco
Vatican.va
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