Pope Francis was notably saddened by the death of a homeless man near the Vatican due to cold winter temperatures.
POPE FRANCIS
Let us think of Edwin. Let us think of what this man, 46 years old, felt, in the cold, ignored by everyone, abandoned, even by us. Let us pray for him.
The pope recalled the strong words delivered by a saintly pontiff on a similar occasion between the 6th and 7th centuries.
POPE FRANCIS
Let us pray for Edwin. Let us be admonished by what was said by Saint Gregory the Great, who, before the death of a beggar due to the cold, stated that that day, Mass would not be celebrated because it was like Good Friday.
Pope Francis recalled the ending of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity and asked the faithful to join in the celebration.
His sciatica prevented him from presiding over this ceremony and that of the Sunday of the Word of God. The pope was limited to only lead the Angelus since it requires less movement.
Javier Romero
Translation: Christian Campos
