The Vatican kicked off the month of October with the release of a short film on the life of the first pope on the facade of St. Peter's Basilica. One of the guests of honor was Andrea Bocelli, who inaugurated the premiere with the song, “Ave Maria.”
October was a busy month for Pope Francis. He canonized two people: Giovanni Battista Scalabrini and Artemide Zatti. Two men dedicated to the service of others. The Pope used the canonization as a reminder of the need to care for all people, especially migrants.
POPE FRANCIS
October 9, 2022
The exclusion of migrants is scandalous! In fact, the exclusion of migrants is criminal; they die in front of us.
The exclusion of migrants is disgusting; it is sinful; it is criminal.
Pope Francis also presided over the Mass for the 60th anniversary of the Second Vatican Council. He encouraged a renewal of the Council's message of acceptance rather than being judgmental towards others.
POPE FRANCIS
October 10, 2022
How often people have preferred to be supporters of their own group rather than serve all. Progressives and conservatives rather than brothers and sisters. “Of the right” or “of the left” rather than “of Jesus.” To prop themselves up “keepers of the truth” or “solo artists” rather than recognize themselves as humble children of the Holy Mother Church.
Pope Francis also met with Peru's Foreign Minister. During this visit, a document was signed to repatriate three Incan mummies, held in the Vatican Museums since 1925, to the country.
The Pope also registered for World Youth Day 2023 during one of his Angelus prayers.
POPE FRANCIS
I have invited two Portuguese youngsters to be here with me while I also register, as a pilgrim. I will do it now. There, I have registered. You, have you registered? Do it.
During the Prayer Meeting for Peace organized by the Community of Sant'Egidio, Pope Francis, together with world and religious leaders, gathered at the Colosseum to discuss the goal of peace. Keeping the war in Ukraine in mind, the Pope specifically spoke about the responsibility all believers have when facing war.
Let us not be infected by the perverted logic of war; let us not fall into the trap of hatred for the enemy. Let us put peace back at the heart of the vision of the future, as the central goal of our personal, social and political actions.
To end the month, Pope Francis encouraged a group of young people from the Italian Catholic Action group to take an interest in social issues to make changes for the future.
KG
