Pope Francis prayed the Angelus from the window of his study over St. Peter's Square on Sunday.
This week he recalled the victims of a bombing at a Shiite mosque in Kandahar, Afghanistan, which killed more than 60 people, an attack which left five dead in Norway, and the murder of the British Member of Parliament David Amess in the UK.
POPE FRANCIS
'I express my closeness to the families of the victims. I ask everyone, please, to abandon the way of violence, which always loses and ends in defeat for all. Let us remember that violence begets violence.'
The Pope also recalled that children from all over the world are participating in the 'Rosary for Peace' initiative this week and thanked them.
POPE FRANCIS
The foundation Aid to the Church in Need has called on parishes, schools and families for the initiative 'For unity and peace, a million children pray the Rosary.' I support this prayer campaign, which this year is entrusted in a special way to the intercession of St. Joseph. Thank you to all the boys and girls who are taking part.
In his catechesis, the Pope discussed Sunday's Gospel, in which two apostles ask Jesus to allow them to rule at his side in Heaven.
POPE FRANCIS
How often we Christians, who should be servants, try to climb, to get ahead. That is why we must always check the true intentions of our heart, to ask ourselves: 'Why do I do this work, or accept this responsibility? Is it to offer a service or to make myself noticed, to be praised and receive praise?'
The key, said the Pope, is to care about the needs of others. Especially now, in the wake of the pandemic, he said to be attentive and available to help those in need.
JMB
TR: JM
