The general audience coincided with the International Holocaust Remembrance Day. Pope Francis said it is essential not to forget that tragedy.
POPE FRANCIS
Remembering is an expression of humanity. To remember is a sign of civility. To remember is a condition for a better future of peace and fraternity.
The pope asked to reflect on how the Holocaust began. He said it is important to avoid repeating the mistakes of the past.
POPE FRANCIS
Remembering is also being careful because these things can happen again. Starting with ideological proposals that seek to save a nation and end up destroying it and humanity. Look carefully at how this path of death, of extermination, of brutality, began.
Pope Francis visited Auschwitz during his trip to Poland in 2016. There, he prayed while contemplating the place where thousands of people were treated and murdered in an inhumane way.
Perhaps that is why the pope use to kiss the hands of those who survived the Holocaust. It is a symbolic gesture that goes far beyond respect.
Javier Romero
Translation: Christian Campos
