On St. Francis' Day, the Vatican Gardens were host to an unusual scene. The pope came to pray with this group of indigenous from the Amazon.
Their emotion was visible as they spoke of what they expect for the upcoming synod.
New ways. To make a Church that is our companion, friend, that listens to us.
They left these tapestries on the grass. On them, were faces of religious people murdered in Brazil, for denouncing the abuses suffered by indigenous populations.
The pope wanted to sit among cardinals rather than in the seat of honor. Throughout the ceremony he maintained a profound attitude of recollection.
The dances marked the start of the meeting.
The indigenous representatives gave various presents to Pope Francis, then the event organizers stepped in to explain the significance of the ceremony.
MAURICIO LÓPEZ
Executive Secretary of Panamazonian Ecclesial Network
Praise be to You, Lord, for the delicate strokes of Your Creation in expressing the connection between each and every thing created on the face of the earth.
As religious sang St. Francis' Song of the Creatures, the pope planted this tree from Assisi, the land of St. Francis.
At the end, the pope prayed the Our Father to close the meeting. It will be his last meeting before the Synod which will open on Sunday and last until the end of October.
