Pope Francis says "let us not forget the peoples suffering because of war" and Prays for Victims in Burkina Faso - FULL TEXT + Video
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POPE FRANCIS at the GENERAL AUDIENCE
in the Vatican's Paul VI Audience Hall on Wednesday, 28 February 2024
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The following text includes parts that were not read out loud, but should be considered as such.
Cycle of Catechesis. Vices and Virtues. 9. Envy and vainglory
Dear brothers and sisters, good morning!
Today we examine two deadly vices that we find in the great lists that the spiritual tradition has left us: envy and vainglory.
Let us start with envy. If we read Holy Scripture (cf. Gen 4), it appears to us as one of the oldest vices: Cain’s hatred of Abel is unleashed when he realizes that his brother's sacrifices are pleasing to God. Cain was the firstborn of Adam and Eve, he had taken the largest share of his father's inheritance; yet, it is enough for Abel, the younger brother, to succeed in a small feat, for Cain to become enraged. The face of the envious man is always sad: he’s always looking down, he seems to be continually investigating the ground; but in reality, he sees nothing, because his mind is wrapped up in thoughts full of wickedness. Envy, if unchecked, leads to hatred of the other. Abel would be killed at the hands of Cain, who could not bear his brother's happiness.
Envy is an evil that has not only been investigated in the Christian sphere: it has attracted the attention of philosophers and wise men of every culture. At its basis is a relationship of hate and love: one desires the evil for the other, but secretly desires to be like him. The other is the epiphany of what we would like to be, and what we actually are not. His good fortune seems to us an injustice: surely, we think to ourselves, we would deserve his successes or good fortune much more!
At the root of this vice is a false idea of God: we do not accept that God has His own “math,” different from ours. For example, in Jesus' parable about the workers called by the master to go into the vineyard at different times of the day, those in the first hour believe they are entitled to a higher wage than those who arrived last; but the master gives everyone the same pay, and says, “Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or do you begrudge my generosity?” (Mt 20:15). We would like to impose our own selfish logic on God; instead, the logic of God is love. The good things He gives us are meant to be shared. This is why St. Paul exhorts Christians, “Love one another with brotherly affection; outdo one another in showing honor” (Rom 12:10). Here is the remedy for envy!
And now we come to the second vice we examine today: vainglory. It goes hand in hand with the demon of envy, and together these two vices are characteristic of a person who aspires to be the centre of the world, free to exploit everything and everyone, the object of all praise and love. Vainglory is an inflated and baseless self-esteem. The vainglorious person possesses an unwieldy “I”: he has no empathy and takes no notice of the fact that there are other people in the world besides him. His relationships are always instrumental, marked by the dominating the other. His person, his accomplishments, his achievements must be shown to everyone: he is a perpetual beggar for attention. And if at times his qualities are not recognized, he becomes fiercely angry. Others are unfair, they do not understand, they are not up to it. In his writings, Evagrius Ponticus describes the bitter affair of a certain monk struck by vainglory. It happened that, after his first successes in the spiritual life, he already felt that he had arrived, so he rushed into the world to receive its praise. But he did not realize that he was only at the beginning of the spiritual path, and that a temptation was lurking that would soon bring him down.
To heal the vainglorious, spiritual teachers do not suggest many remedies. For in the end, the evil of vanity has its remedy in itself: the praise the vainglorious man hopes to reap from the world will soon turn against him. And how many people, deluded by a false self-image, have then fallen into sins of which they would soon be ashamed!
The finest instruction for overcoming vainglory can be found in the testimony of St. Paul. The Apostle always reckoned with a defect that he could never overcome. Three times he asked the Lord to deliver him from that torment, but finally Jesus answered him, “My grace is sufficient for you; for strength is fully manifested in weakness.” From that day Paul was set free. And his conclusion should also become ours: “I will therefore gladly boast of my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may dwell in me” (2 Cor 12:9).
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APPEALS
March 1 will mark the 25th anniversary of the entry into force of the Convention on the Prohibition of Anti-Personnel Mines, which continue to target civilians, innocent people, particularly children, many years after the end of hostilities. I express my sympathy for the many victims of these insidious devices that remind us of the dramatic cruelty of wars, and the price civilian populations are forced to bear. In this regard, I thank all those who offer their contributions to assist the victims and clean up the contaminated areas: their work is a concrete response to the universal call to be peacemakers, taking care of our brothers and sisters.
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Dear brothers and sisters, let us not forget the peoples suffering because of war: Ukraine, Palestine, Israel and so many others. And let us pray for the victims of the recent attacks on places of worship in Burkina Faso; as well as for the people of Haiti, where crimes and kidnappings by armed gangs continue.
I extend a cordial welcome to the Italian-speaking pilgrims.
In particular, I greet the faithful from the Dioceses of Emilia Romagna and San Marino-Montefeltro, accompanied by their Bishops.
I also greet the parish groups of Gricignano di Aversa and Isola di Capo Rizzuto, hoping that the stop at the tombs of the Apostles will arouse renewed spiritual fervor.
Finally, my thoughts go to the sick, the elderly, the newlyweds and the young people, especially the students of the "Falcone e Borsellino" Institute in Rome and the children of the "Giovanni Pascoli" School in Fucecchio. May the journey of Lent be an opportunity to return to ourselves and renew ourselves in spirit.
To all, my blessing!
Greetings
Je salue cordialement les pèlerins de langue française, en particulier une délégation du Conseil National de Monaco, ainsi que les paroisses et les jeunes venus de France. En ce temps de Carême efforçons nous de ne pas nous mettre toujours au centre, mais cherchons plutôt à nous effacer pour laisser la place aux autres, les promouvoir et nous réjouir de leurs qualités et de leurs succès. Que Dieu vous bénisse.
[I cordially greet the French-speaking pilgrims, in particular the delegation of the National Council of Monaco, as well as the parishes and young people from France. In this season of Lent, let us strive not to put ourselves at the centre, rather let us try to step aside to make room for others, promote them and rejoice in their qualities and successes. May God bless you all.]
Liebe Brüder und Schwestern german Sprache, die Fastenzeit ruft uns traditionell zum Almosengeben auf, also unsere Güter mit den bedürftigen Brüdern und Schwestern zu teilen. Der Herr stehe euch in jedem guten Werk der Liebe bei!
[Dear German-speaking brothers and sisters, Lent traditionally invites us to give alms, that is, to share our goods with needy brothers. May the Lord support you in all your good works of charity!]
I cordially greet the pilgrims of the Spanish language. We would like to meditate frequently on the “Letanies of humility” of Cardinal Merry del Val, to combat the vices that torment us in life in Christ. May God bless him and the Holy Virgin guard him. Much thanks.
Saúdo o Instituto «Vidas Raras» e todos os peregrinos de língua portuguesa. Confio à Virgem Maria os vossos corações e os vossos passos. Encorajo-vos a apostar na beleza do serviço, que engrandece o coração e torna fecundos os vossos talentos. De bom grado vos abençoo a vós e aos vossos entes queridos!
[I greet the “Vidas Raras” Institute and all the Portuguese-speaking pilgrims. I entrust your intentions and steps to the Virgin Mary. I encourage you to bet on the beauty of service, which broadens your heart and makes your talents fruitful. I gladly bless you and your loved ones!]
أُحيِّي المُؤمِنِينَ النَّاطِقِينَ باللُغَةِ العَرَبِيَّة. في مسيرةِ الزَّمنِ الأربعينيّ، وهي مسيرةُ صلاةٍ وصومٍ ومحبَّة، لِن َشعُرْ بأنَّنَا مَدعُوّونَ إلى أنْ نَختَبِرَ حبَّ اللهِ الَّذي يُجَ دِّدُ حَيَاتَنَا. Let's go!
[I greet the Arabic-speaking faithful. In the Lenten journey, which is a journey of prayer, fasting and charity, we feel called to experience the love of God that renews our lives. May the Lord bless you and protect you always from all evil!]
Pozdrawiam serdecznie Polaków. Zachęcam Was do cierpliwego kontynuowania duchowej pracy i zmagania z tym, co oddala Was od Boga i od siebie nawzajem – w życiu rodzinnym, w życiu społecznym we wspólnotach, w miejscach pracy i spotkań z bliźnimi. Zawierzam Was wstawiennictwu Dziewicy Maryi, pokornej Służebnicy Pańskiej, dla której miłość Boga była naczelną regułą życia. Z serca Wam błogosławię.
[I cordially greet the Poles. I encourage you to continue patiently in your spiritual commitment, fighting against everything that distances you from God and others – in family life, in the community and in places of work and meeting. I entrust you to the intercession of the Virgin Mary, the humble Handmaid of the Lord, for whom the main rule of life is to love God. I bless you from the bottom of my heart.]I cordially greet French language pilgrims, especially a delegation from the National Council of Monaco, as well as parishioners and young people from France. In this time of Carême we try to make sure we put all our items in the center, more often we can do our best to lay down the place for others, promote and enjoy the quality and success of our products. That's why you're happy.
[I cordially greet the French-speaking pilgrims, in particular the delegation of the National Council of Monaco, as well as the parishes and young people from France. In this season of Lent, let us strive not to put ourselves at the centre, rather let us try to step aside to make room for others, promote them and rejoice in their qualities and successes. May God bless you all.]
I extend a warm welcome to the English-speaking pilgrims and visitors taking part in today's Audience, especially the groups from England, Ireland, the Netherland, Norway, Malaysia, Vietnam, and the United States of America. I offer a special greeting to the students and professors from Saint Mary's University, Twickenham, England. Upon all of you and upon your families, I invoke the joy and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ. God bless you!
Liebe Brüder und Schwestern german Sprache, die Fastenzeit ruft uns traditionell zum Almosengeben auf, also unsere Güter mit den bedürftigen Brüdern und Schwestern zu teilen. Der Herr stehe euch in jedem guten Werk der Liebe bei!
[Dear German-speaking brothers and sisters, Lent traditionally invites us to give alms, that is, to share our goods with needy brothers. May the Lord support you in all your good works of charity!]
I cordially greet the pilgrims of the Spanish language. We would like to meditate frequently on the “Letanies of humility” of Cardinal Merry del Val, to combat the vices that torment us in life in Christ. May God bless him and the Holy Virgin guard him. Much thanks.
Saúdo o Instituto «Vidas Raras» e todos os pilgrims de língua Portuguese. I trust Virgem Maria with your hearts and your steps. I encourage you to abandon the beauty of service, which enlarges your heart and makes your talents fruitful. Well done to you and your queried entities!
[I greet the “Vidas Raras” Institute and all the Portuguese-speaking pilgrims. I entrust your intentions and steps to the Virgin Mary. I encourage you to bet on the beauty of service, which broadens your heart and makes your talents fruitful. I gladly bless you and your loved ones!]
أُحيِّي المُؤمِنِينَ النَّاطِقِينَ باللُغَةِ العَرَبِيَّة. في مسيرةِ الزَّمنِ الأربعينيّ، وهي مسيرةُ صلاةٍ وصومٍ ومحبَّة، لِن َشعُرْ بأنَّنَا مَدعُوّونَ إلى أنْ نَختَبِرَ حبَّ اللهِ الَّذي يُجَ دِّدُ حَيَاتَنَا. Let's go!
[I greet the Arabic-speaking faithful. In the Lenten journey, which is a journey of prayer, fasting and charity, we feel called to experience the love of God that renews our lives. May the Lord bless you and protect you always from all evil!]
Pozdrawiam serdecznie Polaków. Zachęcam Was do cierpliwego kontynuowania duchowej pracy i zmagania z tym, co oddala Was od Boga i od siebie nawzajem – w życiu rodzinnym, w życiu społecznym we wspólnotach, w miejscach pracy i spotkań z bliźnimi. Zawierzam Was wstawiennictwu Dziewicy Maryi, pokornej Służebnicy Pańskiej, dla której miłość Boga była naczelną regułą życia. Z serca Wam błogosławię.
[I cordially greet the Poles. I encourage you to continue patiently in your spiritual commitment, fighting against everything that distances you from God and others – in family life, in the community and in places of work and meeting. I entrust you to the intercession of the Virgin Mary, the humble Handmaid of the Lord, for whom the main rule of life is to love God. I bless you from the bottom of my heart.]
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