Pope Francis began 2022 by celebrating Mass in St. Peter's Basilica for the feast of Mary, Mother of God, which coincided with World Day of Peace.
POPE FRANCIS
'Let us all work to promote mothers and to protect women. How much violence is directed against women! Enough! To hurt a woman is to insult God, who took His humanity from a woman'.
The Pope reflected on the Virgin Mary as a mother, and on the courage of mothers who always find the strength to help their children who are sick or facing difficult times, and to give them hope.
POPE FRANCIS
'That is what mothers do: they know how to overcome obstacles and disagreements, and to instill peace. In this way, they transform problems into opportunities for rebirth and growth. They do so because they know how to “keep,” to hold together the various threads of life'.
He also explained that peace is a gift to be asked of God, as well as a goal each person should commit to.
POPE FRANCIS
'We need such people capable of weaving the threads of communion instead of the barbed wire of conflict and division. Mothers know how to do this'.
As on every January 1, several children dressed as the Magi were seated in the front row. This group comes from Austria and are known as the 'star singers.' They sing and proclaim Christmas while collecting aid for charitable causes.
JMB
TR: JM
