Pope Francis moved refugees to the center of his preaching, when he made this group sit next to him during the weekly general audience.
He preached about one of the miracles of Christ. It was the healing of a leper who approaches Jesus, despite the social norms of the time which excluded them.
At the same, Pope Francis said, this happens today with other groups of people.
POPE FRANCIS
'Touch the excluded. Today these guys accompany me. Many of them think that it is better if they remain in their land, but there they suffered a lot. They are our refugees, but many are considered excluded. Please, they are our brothers. The Christian does not exclude anyone; he offers a place for everyone; he has room for everyone. Allow them to come to you.'
On a more spiritual note, the Pope recalled the humble attitude of the leper of the Gospel, kneeling, asking for Christ healing. He recommended imitating his example.
POPE FRANCIS
''Jesus never remains indifferent to prayers with humility and confidence. He rejects all human prejudices, is portrayed nearby to teach us that we should not be afraid to reach out and touch the poor and the excluded, because the same Christ is residing in them.â?
The Pope said that contact with the needy cleanses the hypocrisy that exist in each person.
This was the last general audience before the summer break. Pope Francis will resume these weekly meetings in August.
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