During the Regina Coeli prayer on Sunday, Pope Francis showed his disappointment for the current world situation.
POPE FRANCIS
'Despite the tools available to the international community, it is difficult to agree on a common action in favor of peace in Syria and in other regions of the world.'
The pope also lamented the assassination of journalists in Ecuador who had been kidnapped by FARC dissident groups.
POPE FRANCIS
'I pray for them and for their families and I am close to the Ecuadorian people, encouraging them to go forward united and peaceful.'
It was a speech in which he mentioned many situations in the world today, including French Vincent Lambert who is in a coma and little Alfie Evans in England.
Vincent has been in a coma for 10 years. One court ruled that they must stop the medical assistance that nourishes him. His wife agrees, but his parents do not.
Young 23-month-old Alfie Evans has an unidentified degenerative condition. A court authorized the doctors to suspend medical treatment. His parents oppose this and want to take him to another hospital for treatment.
POPE FRANCIS
“They are delicate situations, super painful and complex. We pray that every patient is always respected in his or her dignity and taken care of in a way suitable to his or her condition. Also with the support of family members, doctors and other healthcare workers, for a great respect for life.'
The pope also spoke about the goodness and intrinsic dignity of each person's body and said that 'every offense, wound or violence done against someone's body is an outrage against God the Creator.'
POPE FRANCIS
'Jesus, who conquered death and has risen in body and soul, makes us understand that we must have a positive idea of our body. It can become an occasion for or instrument of sin, but sin is not caused by the body, but by our moral weakness. The body is a wonderful gift from God, destined, in union with the soul, to fully express the image and likeness of Him. Therefore, we are called to have great respect and take care of our body and that of others.'
Before leaving, some pilgrims had prepared a little surprise for the pope: this band who played a short melody.
