During the Angelus, the pope recalled the tragic events in Ethiopia. Last week's public disorder there resulted in more than 60 deaths and 400 detainees.
Pope Francis expressed his closeness to the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, whose leaders claim their community is threatened.
POPE FRANCIS
“I am saddened by the violence against Christians of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church. I ask you to pray for the victims of violence in that place. Let us pray together: Hail Mary...”
Minutes before, the pope had reflected on the lectures of Sunday's Mass. These show how Jesus did not treat Zacchaeus, a public sinner, with rejection, but rather the contrary. Thanks to the kindness with which Jesus treated him, he decided to change his behavior for the better.
POPE FRANCIS
“We would be scandalized by Jesus' behavior. However, rejection and contempt of the sinner do nothing but isolate them and prompt them to do more evil against himself and the community.”
Pope Francis remembered that God does something very difficult: condemn sin but try to save the sinner.
Javier Romero
Translated: Rachel Dobrzynski
