In June, Pope Francis had to cancel his trip to South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo due to his knee problems. The trip was scheduled for July. In the end, the Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, went in the Pope's place.
POPE FRANCIS
I truly feel great sorrow for having had to postpone this trip, which means so much to me.
That month, La Civiltà Cattolica published a conversation Pope Francis had with Jesuits in Malta the previous April. In it, he mourned the possible outbreak of 'World War III.' The Pope also reflected on the role of NATO in the world. He said that adding other countries to the alliance could hasten the outbreak of the conflict.
Pope Francis also met with members of the Greek-Melkite Church. He congratulated them for upholding their traditions in communities in Australia, the United States and Venezuela. Additionally, the Pope called for peace in Syria.
POPE FRANCIS
We cannot allow even the last ounce of hope to be taken out of the eyes and hearts of the youth and families. I therefore reiterate my call to all those who have responsibilities within the country or in the international community to unite to find a fair and just solution to the drama of Syria.
The following day, the Vatican Foreign Minister participated in the First Meeting of States Parties to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons on behalf of the Pope.
ABP. PAUL RICHARD GALLAGHER
Vatican Secretary for Relations with States
Here, I wish to reaffirm that the use of nuclear weapons, as well as their mere possession, is immoral. Trying to defend and ensure stability and peace through a false sense of security and a “balance of terror” sustained by a mentality of fear and mistrust inevitably ends up poisoning relationships between peoples and obstructing any possible form of real dialogue.
One of the most memorable moments in June was the start of the 10th World Meeting of Families. Pope Francis gave the closing words to engaged couples considering marriage.
POPE FRANCIS
Marriage is not a formality tobe fulfilled. One does not get married to be a “formal” Catholic, nor to comply with a rule, nor because the Church says so. You get married because you want to base your marriage on the love of Christ, who is as firm as a rock. In marriage, Christ gives himself to you, so that you have the strength to give yourselves to each other. Have courage, and then family life is not an impossible mission!
In June, members of the Neocatechumenal Way traveled to Rome. 430 families asked the Pope for his blessing before leaving on mission.
At the end of the month, Pope Francis presented the new metropolitan archbishops with their blessed stoles. But, he also gave them a warning.
POPE FRANCIS
The temptations to stay still are great. The temptation of nostalgia makes us look at other times as better. Please, do not fall into “backwardness,” this backwardness of the Church that today is in style.
In the following month, Pope Francis limited his public meetings and stopped holding General Audiences. But, he still made the much anticipated trip to Canada.
RM
TR: KG
