As is typical after any papal trip, the pope dedicated his weekly General Audience to reflecting on his recent journey to Romania.
He was very thankful to all the Romanian authorities and most of all to God for allowing him to visit this country 20 years after St. John Paul II.
Pope Francis said the motto of the trip “walking together” showed the importance for Christians and all citizens to work in fraternity and harmony with one another.
He was also very grateful for his meeting with Patriarch Daniel and the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church where he renewed “the Catholic Church’s commitment to walking together towards full unity.”
Additionally, he recalled the beatification of seven Greek-Catholic bishops and his appeal “against every form of discrimination and for respect for all people.” The pope concluded by inviting Christians to pray for Romania and the Church there.
SUMMARY OF POPE'S CATECHESIS
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
My recent Apostolic Journey to Romania took as its theme “walking together”. I renew my gratitude to the President and Prime Minister, to the civil and ecclesiastical authorities, and to all who cooperated in making this visit possible.
Above all I thank Almighty God for enabling the Successor of Peter to return to the country, twenty years after Saint John Paul II.
The motto of the visit was especially evident in the variety of meetings, which showed the importance for Christians and for all citizens of “walking together” in fraternity and harmony.
With deep gratitude I recall my warm meeting with Patriarch Daniel and the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church, in which I renewed the Catholic Church’s commitment to walking together towards full unity.
The three celebrations of Holy Mass brought together the diverse Catholic community, and concluded with the Beatification of seven Greek-Catholic bishops. Each of these martyrs bore witness to the freedom and mercy brought by the Gospel. Particularly joyful was my meeting with families and young people.
Finally, during my visit to the Romania community I reiterated an appeal against every form of discrimination and for respect for all people. Let us pray that God will abundantly bless Romania and the Church in that land.
I greet the English-speaking pilgrims and visitors taking part in today’s Audience, especially those from England, Scotland, Malta, China, Japan, Malaysia, Korea, Canada and the United States of America. I offer a special greeting to the members of the United Nations Women’s Guild of Rome together with my prayerful good wishes for their fiftieth anniversary. As we prepare to celebrate the Solemnity of Pentecost, I invoke upon all of you and your families a rich outpouring of the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
