Pope Francis asked Nordic faithful to be a “united testimony of reconciliation” and called them to collaborate with other Christian confessions in these times “marked by war in Europe and worldwide.”
“I would like to encourage your vibrant Catholic communities to cooperate with their other Christian brothers and sisters, because in these difficult times, marked by war in Europe and throughout the world, our human family has a great need for a united testimony of reconciliation, Healing and peace that can only come from God, ”said the pontiff.
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The Holy Father made these considerations when heading to a community of faithful from Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland and Iceland who traveled to Rome on the occasion of the Jubileo de la Esperanza.
Before them, he valued the multicultural context in which they live in the Nordic countries of Europe and invited them “to dialogue and to work together with members of other religions, many of them migrants” to which, as he appreciated, “so good” They have hosted in their societies.
“I remember proven first hand during my visit to Sweden in 2016. And for us, Latin American countries, in times of dictatorships -brasil, Uruguay, Chile, Argentina -: our brothers and sisters fled from dictatorships went there. They are still lords of foster and fraternal solidarity! ”He said.
In addition, he wished that through the experience of walking together as brothers and sisters in Christ, his “hearts are strengthened in faith, hope and love, since these are three essential elements of Christian life, three ways in the that the Holy Spirit guides us on our way. ”
Pope Francis pointed out that pilgrimage is also a call to “persevere in the task of evangelization” and also prayed for his hope to be strengthened during these days.
“The pilgrimage does not end, but changes its approach to the daily path of being disciples and the call to persevere in the task of evangelization,” emphasized the pontiff in his speech.
On the other hand, he pointed out that although the Catholic Church present in its countries of origin is “small”, it always “grows in number.”
He added: “We can thank God Almighty, because the seeds of faith, planted and watered there by generations of shepherds and persevering people, are being fruitful. This should not surprise us either, for the Lord is always faithful to his promises. ”
Before these faithful to those who received in the Apostolic Palace on the occasion of his pilgrimage to Rome, organized by the Nordic Episcopal Conference, the Pontiff asked that “his faith in the Lord Jesus” and his “awareness of belonging to Him and one another In the communion of the Church, they feed and deepen. ”
In this way, he considered that they were going to return to their countries “full of the cheerful enthusiasm of sharing the great gift” they have received as Christians.
He also said that “there is no greater work to transmit to others the message of salvation of the Gospel.”
In this sense, he asked them to volcan especially with the “marginalized” people of society and urged them to think “those who are alone and isolated.”
“There are so many isolated people, alone in the heart and peripheries of their communities and in the most remote territories. In addition, this task is entrusted to each of you, whatever your age, state of life or capacity. Even those among you who are elderly are sick or have some kind of difficulty have the noble vocation to testify to the compassionate love of the father, ”he emphasized.
Victoria Cardiel
Victoria Cardiel is a journalist specialized in social and religious information issues. Since 2013, he has covered all the news of the Vatican for various media, such as the Spanish news agency Europa Press, or the weekly of the Archdiocese of Madrid, Alfa and Omega.