At the Angelus, the Pope recalls the apostolic trip to Cyprus, Greece

By Christopher Wells

Pope Francis thanked God for his recent “pilgrimage” to Cyprus and Greece, and expressed his gratitude to all who accompanied him in prayer, and to the people of the two “beloved countries”, including the civil and religious authorities, “for the affection and kindness with which they received me.

A pearl of the Mediterranean

Speaking at the end of Wednesday’s Angelus, the Holy Father described Cyprus as “a pearl of the Mediterranean, a pearl of rare beauty”, which nevertheless “bears the wounds of barbed wire, the pain of a wall that divides it. “

He said he felt like part of a family in Cyprus, particularly noting his meeting with the Cypriot Orthodox primate Chrysostomos II. Pope Francis declared that all Christians are children of the Church of Christ, “who accompanies us, protects us, makes us move forward – all brothers!

The Pope once again expressed his hope that Cyprus will be a “laboratory of fraternity”, where everyone, but above all the poor, the abandoned and the migrants, can be welcomed. He also reiterated that “we cannot remain silent, we cannot turn away” from the plight of migrants. Instead, we need to “look into” the eyes and faces of those who are suffering, in order to overcome our indifference.

Pope Francis meets Catholics in the parish of Holy Cross in Nicosia

The memory of Europe

Pope Francis also recalled with gratitude “the fraternal welcome” he received in Greece. “In Athens,” he says, “I felt immersed in the greatness of history, in the memory of Europe: humanism, democracy, wisdom, faith.

The Pope also underlined his experience of “the mystique of the whole”, when he met Catholic bishops and members of the Catholic community, especially during Sunday mass.

And he recalled “the gift of kissing” the Greek Orthodox primate Ieronymos during reciprocal visits during the trip. “I cherish this fraternity in my heart”, he said, while entrusting “to the Blessed Mother of God the many seeds of encounter and of hope that the Lord sowed during this pilgrimage”. Pope Francis called for continuous prayers “so that they may continue to germinate and flourish in confidence”.

Pope Francis celebrates mass in Athens

Guides on the path to holiness

In his address after the Angelus, the Holy Father also noted the conclusion of the Year of Saint Joseph, Patron Saint of the Church, as well as the conclusion of the Jubilee of Loreto on Friday. “May the grace of these events continue to act in the life of our communities,” he said. “May the Virgin Mary and Saint Joseph guide us on the path to holiness. “