Pope Francis: Focusing on what is essential, Jesus, is not escaping from reality

Pope Francis has sent, through the Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, his message for the 45th Meeting of Rimini, in which he maintains that “returning to what is essential, which is Jesus, does not mean fleeing from reality”, but rather It is the condition to “truly immerse yourself in history, to face it without running away from its challenges, to have the courage to risk and love even when it seems worth it, to live in the world without any fear.”

The message, released by the Vatican Press Office, is addressed to the Bishop of Rimini, Bishop Nicolò Anselmi, on the occasion of the Meeting for Friendship between Peoples, an initiative of the Communion and Liberation movement founded by Luigi Giussani.

Cardinal Parolín explains that “the Holy Father appreciates and shares the objective of the next Meeting, because focusing on what is essential helps us take our lives in our hands and make it an instrument of love, mercy and compassion, becoming a sign of blessing.” for the neighbor.”

For this reason, Pope Francis “exhorts everyone to become responsible protagonists of change, actively collaborating in the mission of the Church, to give life together to places where the presence of Christ can be seen and touched,” in such a way that the Meeting “awakens in many the desire to become seekers of what is essential and makes the passion for the proclamation of the Gospel flourish in hearts.”

Throughout the message, Cardinal Parolín conveys on behalf of Pope Francis that, “now that we are going through complex times”, “a feeling of helplessness, a renunciant and passive attitude” can arise that can even lead to losing the meaning of existence. .

“In this scenario, therefore, the option of taking the path of the essential is all the more pertinent. For this reason, Pope Francis encourages us to try to search, with passion and enthusiasm, for what highlights the beauty of life,” he adds.

Furthermore, the Secretary of State recalls that the Pontiff has reiterated that the difficulties of today’s world must be “a call to reflection so that the heart opens to the encounter with God.”

Among other difficulties, the message mentions “the icy winds of war”, phenomena of injustice, violence and inequality, “the serious climate emergency” and what is described as “unprecedented anthropological mutation”, in reference to the call gender ideology.

The Meeting for Friendship between Peoples 2024 is celebrated from August 20 to 25 under the motto If we do not look for the essential, what are we looking for? with a program that includes 140 conferences, 16 exhibitions, 18 shows and spaces dedicated to children and sports, the development of which is possible thanks to more than 2,500 volunteers.