Pope Leo XIV requested prayers for the families that suffer in open military conflicts in different parts of the world such as in the Middle East or in Ukraine after having celebrated the Eucharist in the Plaza de San Pedro on the occasion of the jubilee of families, children, grandparents and the elderly.
“May the Virgin Mary bless families and hold them in their difficulties. I think especially those who suffer from the war in the Middle East, in Ukraine and in other parts of the world. That the Mother of God helps us to walk together on the path of peace,” exclaimed the pontiff in the prayer of Regina Coeli who in Easter times replaces the Angelus.
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The Pontiff wanted to greet all the families present in the Plaza de San Pedro for this great event of the Jubileo de La Esperanza. And he has defined them “as small domestic churches, in which the Gospel is welcomed and transmitted.”
In addition, he quoted San Juan Pablo II to remember that the family “has its origin in the love with which the creator embraces the created world.” He added: “That faith, hope and charity always grow in our families.”
The Holy Father toured Papamóvil the Plaza de San Pedro before the celebration of the Eucharist and showed his joy for the presence of so many children.
“I am happy to welcome so many children, who revive our hope,” he said after launching a special message to grandparents and the elderly, who claimed as “genuine model of faith and inspiration for young generations,” he said.
The Holy Father also remembered the Blessed Cristófora Klomfass and his 14 companions were religious of the Congregation of Santa Catalina Virgen and Mártir, martyred in 1945 during the Soviet invasion in Eastern Prussia, in territories that today belong to Poland.
“Despite the climate of hatred and terror against the Catholic faith, they continued to serve the sick and orphans. To the intercession of the new blessed martyrs we entrust to the religious who throughout the world spend their life generously by the kingdom of God,” he emphasized.
The religious were beatified this Saturday in Braniewo (Poland).
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.