During the Sunday Angelus at St. Peter's, the Pope made a very specific request:
POPE FRANCIS
"Today, it comes to my heart to ask all of you to pray for the detainees who are on death row in the United States. I believe there are 13 or 15."
Shortly before, he had asked for prayers for Nicaragua, where the feast of the Immaculate Conception is celebrated with special devotion.
POPE FRANCIS
"I invite you to join me in prayer for the Church and people of Nicaragua who celebrate the Purísima, as Mother and Patroness, and lift to Her a cry of faith and hope. "
In the morning, he had celebrated Mass with the new cardinals. There, he reflected on the humility of the Virgin Mary, a characteristic that, the Pope noted, is sadly lacking today.
POPE FRANCIS
"Unfortunately, we see around us how the temptation of the first sin, the desire to be like God, continues to harm humanity."
In fact, the pontiff criticized some of today's customs, describing them as selfish and without a future.
POPE FRANCIS
"What good is it to travel around the planet if, in the end, each encounter is reduced to the emotion of the moment, to a photograph that no one will remember after a few days or months?"
The newly created cardinals were present at the Mass. The Pope reminded them that their role was primarily pastoral: that is, to assist the Pope in the pastoral service of the universal Church.
SR
