Pope Francis Meets with Bishops of the Middle East amidst Ongoing War and Fears of Escalation - FULL TEXT
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TO PARTICIPANTS IN THE PLENARY ASSEMBLY OF THE CONFERENCE
OF LATIN BISHOPS OF THE ARAB REGIONS (C.E.L.R.A.)
Pope Francis addresses members of the Latin Episcopal Conference of the Arabic Regions during their plenary meeting in Rome, appealing to them to "keep the hope alive" amidst escalating tension in the Middle East and asking them to continue their mission of peace and reconciliation. Addressing participants of the Latin Episcopal Conference of the Arabic Regions (CELRA) who are meeting in Rome for their plenary assembly, in his prepared remarks the Pope warned that "the conflict, instead of finding a fair solution, seems to be becoming chronic, with the risk of spreading and igniting the entire region."
Room adjacent to Paul VI Audience Hall
Wednesday, 28 August 2024
Room adjacent to Paul VI Audience Hall
Wednesday, 28 August 2024
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Dear brothers!
I am pleased to meet you on the occasion of the plenary assembly of the Conference of Latin Bishops of the Arab Regions, which you are holding in Rome in these days.
The Middle East is experiencing moments of very strong tension, which in some contexts lead to open clashes and outbursts of war. The conflict, instead of finding an equitable solution, seems to be becoming chronic, with the risk that it will spread to ignite the entire region. This situation has caused thousands and thousands of deaths, enormous destruction, immense suffering and the spread of feelings of hatred and resentment, which prepare the ground for new tragedies.
Today I have the opportunity to express directly my closeness to you and to the Churches you represent. May the Lord always give you the strength to bear witness to faith in Him, also through respectful and sincere dialogue with everyone.
May you keep hope alight! Be yourselves, for everyone, signs of hope, a presence that fosters words and gestures of peace, brotherhood, and respect. A presence that, in itself, invites reason, reconciliation, overcoming with good will the divisions and enmities stratified and hardened over time, which are becoming increasingly inextricable. Thank you for being the flame of hope where it seems to have been extinguished!
And I wish you well in your pastoral initiatives. In particular, may you identify the best and most effective way to ensure adequate Christian formation for students in public schools, in contexts where the Christian presence is a minority. This formation is of great importance, so that the content of faith may be known and accompanied by reflection, and so that faith, in confrontation with culture, may thus be strengthened and have the means to give reasons for Christian hope (cf. 1 Pet 3:15).
Dear brothers, thank you for this visit! May Our Lady keep you and comfort you. I bless you from my heart. And let us pray for one another.
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Holy See Press Office Bulletin, 28 August 2024
Dear brothers!
I am pleased to meet you on the occasion of the plenary assembly of the Conference of Latin Bishops of the Arab Regions, which you are holding in Rome in these days.
The Middle East is experiencing moments of very strong tension, which in some contexts lead to open clashes and outbursts of war. The conflict, instead of finding an equitable solution, seems to be becoming chronic, with the risk that it will spread to ignite the entire region. This situation has caused thousands and thousands of deaths, enormous destruction, immense suffering and the spread of feelings of hatred and resentment, which prepare the ground for new tragedies.
Today I have the opportunity to express directly my closeness to you and to the Churches you represent. May the Lord always give you the strength to bear witness to faith in Him, also through respectful and sincere dialogue with everyone.
May you keep hope alight! Be yourselves, for everyone, signs of hope, a presence that fosters words and gestures of peace, brotherhood, and respect. A presence that, in itself, invites reason, reconciliation, overcoming with good will the divisions and enmities stratified and hardened over time, which are becoming increasingly inextricable. Thank you for being the flame of hope where it seems to have been extinguished!
And I wish you well in your pastoral initiatives. In particular, may you identify the best and most effective way to ensure adequate Christian formation for students in public schools, in contexts where the Christian presence is a minority. This formation is of great importance, so that the content of faith may be known and accompanied by reflection, and so that faith, in confrontation with culture, may thus be strengthened and have the means to give reasons for Christian hope (cf. 1 Pet 3:15).
Dear brothers, thank you for this visit! May Our Lady keep you and comfort you. I bless you from my heart. And let us pray for one another.
_____________________________________________
Holy See Press Office Bulletin, 28 August 2024
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