Pope Francis opened and closed his address to the Roman Curia by emphasizing the need for good humor.
First, he congratulated Cardinal Re, almost 90 years old, for his vitality. And reminded him that humor is a great medicine for old age.
POPE FRANCIS
Please, make sure we don't lose our sense of humor—this is health.
He then invited the members of the Curia to reflect on three Gospel figures. Mary, because she knows how to listen.
POPE FRANCIS
Sometimes, even through communicating with each other, we run the risk of being like preying wolves.
In order to listen to ourselves, interior silence is necessary and also a space of silence between listening and response. It is not ping-pong.
And in addition to reflecting on Mary for her ability to listen to God, the Pope also gave the example of John the Baptist, for his talent for discernment, and the Three Wise Men, for their ability to step out of their comfort zone.
POPE FRANCIS
The Christian faith—let us remember—it is not meant to confirm our securities, to make us settle into easy religious certainties, to give us quick answers to life's complex problems. On the contrary, when God calls, he always provokes a journey, as he did for Abraham, for Moses, for the prophets and for all the Lord's disciples. He sets us on a journey.
Pope Francis ended his speech by reminding that the challenge of the Church is not to see who is right, but to overcome divisions.
POPE FRANCIS
Sixty years after the Council, we still debate the division between “progressives” and “conservatives,” and this is not the difference. The real, central difference is between “enamored” and “accustomed.” This is the difference. Only those who love can walk.
The address to the Roman Curia is a meeting that usually shows the relationship between the Pope and his closest collaborators. It is the only public meeting of the Pope with the heads of all Vatican departments, from the dicasteries to the Vatican Museums, including the economic departments.
JRB
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