Pope Francis denounced the growing persecution against Christians; and the passivity of the world to respond to it.
He added that in democratic countries there is a bloodless martyrdom that occurs when religious freedom is limited. He called it “white martyrdom.”
The members of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre had this to say during their meeting with Pope Francis.
“We are honored by the audience that your holiness has benevolently granted us.”
These were the words of Grand Master of the Order, Cardinal Edwin O'Brien. In response, the pope greeted them with these cordial words.
POPE FRANCIS
“Here in the Vatican, you are, in a certain sense, at home, since you are in an ancient pontifical institution placed under the protection of the Holy See.”
The Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre has 30,000 members and is one of the main orders of the Church in the Holy Land. It maintains schools and hospitals, as well as other charitable activities in the region. It is also one of the most active institutions trying to preserve the presence of Christians in the Middle East.
