On the Solemnity of the Assumption of Mary, Pope Francis spoke of the suffering that the Virgin endured before ascending, in body and soul, to Heaven. Pope Francis explained that this suffering is reminiscent of other women today.
POPE FRANCIS
'The Canticle of Mary also leads us to think about many actual sad situations, in particular, those women overwhelmed by the weight of life and the drama of violence; of women who are slaves to the arrogance of the powerful; the girls forced into inhumane work; the women forced to surrender in both body and spirit to the avarice of men.â?
The Pope asked God to free these women from this form of bondage and also wished for them to have a life of peace, love, and justice as soon as possible. He also remembered the more than 70 victims that were recently killed by an Islamist militia in North Kivu in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
POPE FRANCIS
'I'm struck once again in hearing the news of the massacres that have long been perpetrating a shameful silence, without even calling our attention. Unfortunately, these victims form a part of the many innocent lives that have no influence on world opinion.â?
He further explained that the Assumption of the Virgin Mary is a symbol of the closeness of God to humanity and an example of His preference for the most humble.
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