Pope Francis arrived at Villavicencio airport a little later than previously scheduled. On his path, he was affectionately greeted with a procession led by children.
This delay didn’t stop Pope Francis from going through the city’s streets as scheduled, though it wasn’t without difficulty. Later, the pope wanted to finish the final round in the popemobile while already in the CATAMA field.
Almost one million people were there to await him. Even though it had rained a lot, nothing moved the pilgrims from their place. Many indigenous people from nearby communities attended, as well as victims of violence, as that has been an issue that has left it's mark on the area.
With these words, they placed Monsignor Jesús Jaramillo, the bishop of Arauca who was assassinated by the ELN, and Father Pedro Ramírez, known as the gunsmith martyr, on the altar.
“From now on they will be beatified, and their feasts can be celebrated each year in the places and the way established by law on the October 3 and 24, respectively. In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
During his homily, Pope Francis focused on the Virgin Mary and the solemnity of her birth. He explained the importance that women have in the history of salvation.
POPE FRANCIS
“In communities where we are still weighed down with patriarchal and chauvinistic customs, it is good to note that the Gospel begins by highlighting influential women who made history. In this world where psychological, verbal and physical violence toward women is so evident, Joseph is presented as the figure of a respectable and sensitive man. Even without having all of the information, he chose Mary, her dignity and her life.”
In this area, which has been punished by the violence of guerilla warefare for so many years, Pope Francis reminded everyone that true reconciliation must also include justice.
POPE FRANCIS
“When victims overcome the understandable temptation to vengeance, they become the most credible protagonists for the process of building peace. What is needed is for some to courageously take the first step in that direction, without waiting for others to do so. We need only one good person to have hope! Don't forget: We need only one good person to have hope! Recourse to reconciliation cannot merely serve to accommodate unjust situations. Every effort at peace without a sincere commitment to reconciliation is destined to fail.”
The pope asked Colombians to imitate the Virgin Mary to achieve that reconciliation by saying “yes” just as she did. He also asked them to follow the example of St. Joseph, who set aside his pride, and Christ, who joins the story.
As examples, he highlighted the lives of the two newly beatified Colombians as “the expression of people who want to get out of the swamp of violence and resentment.”
