May no type of bureaucracy get in the way of helping Italian earthquake victims and make them suffer further!
Pope Francis said this as, for the second Sunday in a row, he renewed his appeal to help those in Central Italy struck by recent earthquakes and who continue to suffer from challenging weather conditions.
During his Angelus address yesterday, the Holy Father expressed to the some 25,000 people gathered in St. Peter’s Square his closeness to those affected by the recent series of earthquakes and devastating winter weather, especially in the Italian provinces of Abruzzo, Lazio, and Le Marche.
“May these brothers and sisters of ours never lack the constant support of institutions and solidarity,” he said, stressing, “And please, may no type of bureaucracy make them wait and suffer further!”
This month, Pope Francis met with those affected by the quakes in the Vatican and also, in the chapel of his residence Casa Santa Marta, baptized babies of families who suffered from these events.
Among the tragic events, on Jan 18th, the Rigopiano mountain hotel, in the Abruzzo region was struck by an avalanche caused by the quakes. Twenty-nine lives have been claimed, reported Italian news agency ANSA, and emergency workers have found eleven people alive in the ruins, including all four children, who were staying there with their families.
Last week, the Pope thanked those who have already helped, including the local churches who “devote themselves to alleviating suffering and difficulties” and encouraged those who can, to be generous with aid and assistance.
The Holy Father also recalled that yesterday, Jan 29., marks World Leprosy Day and called for the disease to be beat along with its existing stigmas. While admitting leprosy is in decline, he still lamented how it’s feared and strikes the poor and marginalized.
Francis sent his encouragement to those committed to assisting victims of leprosy and assured them of his prayers.
Pope Francis concluded, wishing everyone in St. Peter’s Square a good lunch, Sunday, and saying he would see them soon.
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On ZENIT’s Web page:
Full text: https://zenit.org/articles/angelus-address-on-the-beatitudes/
Vatican Message for 64th World Leprosy Day: https://zenit.org/articles/vatican-message-for-64th-world-leprosy-day/
Pope’s Address to victims of Earthquakes in Central Italy: https://zenit.org/articles/popes-address-to-those-affected-by-italian-earthquakes-in-vatican/
Pope Baptizes Babies Born by Families Hit by Recent Earthquakes in Central Italy: https://zenit.org/articles/pope-baptizes-babies-born-by-families-hit-by-earthquakes-in-central-italy/
