In Colombia, Pope Blesses Cornerstones of Structures for Victims of Human Trafficking, Homeless

Pope Francis has blessed the cornerstones of several homeless shelters and of the Talitha Qum Women’s Home.

In Cartagena, the Holy Father did so this morning, the last full day of his 20th Apostolic Visit to Colombia, Sept. 6-11, 2017. Later today, the Pope is visiting the shrine of Jesuit St. Peter Claver, the patron saint of Colombia, giving his Angelus Address and celebrating Mass.

During his five-day trip, the Pope has also spent time in Bogota, Villavicencio, and Medellin. Tomorrow, he flies back to Rome.

Arriving this morning in St. Francis of Assisi Square, where he would bless the first stone, some hundreds of people, including homeless and little girls assisted by the shelters, were present to see the Pope.
After Fr. Elkin Acevedo, pastor of St. Francis of Assisi Parish, addressed the Pontiff, and after the Pontiff gave his blessing, Pope Francis made a visit to the home of 77-year-old Lorenza, who has spent 50 years of work as a volunteer at the community’s cafeteria.

Below is the Vatican-provided text of the prayer:
***
POPE’S PRAYER:
Let us pray.
Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of mercy,
Who in your Son You have given us
an admirable example of charity
and through Him you have strongly recommended to us
the commandment to love;
fill with your blessings
these servants of yours,
who wish to devote themselves generously
to the help of their brothers;
so that, in urgent needs,
they may serve you faithfully and fully
in the person of their neighbor.
Through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen
[Vatican-provided text] [Original text: Spanish – working translation]