2023-06-29 19:23:00
June 29, 2023 / 12:23 p.m.
Pope Francis explained this Thursday, June 29, that Saint Peter is not “a superman”, but rather a man “who says ‘yes’ to Jesus with generosity”.
On the Solemnity of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, the Pope looked out of the study window of the Vatican Apostolic Palace to recite the Angelus with the pilgrims and faithful gathered in Saint Peter’s Square.
The Apostle Peter, the Pope maintained, “is not a superman: he is a man like us, like one of us, who says “yes” to Jesus with generosity in his imperfection. But also in him – as in Paul and in all the saints – it appears that it is God who makes us strong with his grace, unites us with his charity and forgives us with his mercy ”.
In his words prior to the Angelus prayer, Pope Francis reflected on the Gospel in which Jesus says to Simon: “You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my Church” (Mt. 16,18).
In Saint Peter’s Square at noon in the Vatican, the Holy Father affirmed that “Saint Peter is a name that has several meanings: it can mean rock, stone or simply a pebble.”
The Pontiff expressed that “in Peter there is all this: the strength of the rock, the reliability of the stone and the smallness of a simple pebble.”
He pointed out that it is “with this true humanity with which the Spirit forms the Church. Pedro and Pablo were real people, and we, today more than ever, need real people.”
Pedro is authentic and generous
“Pedro is a rock: in many moments he is strong and firm, authentic and generous. He leaves everything to follow Jesus, he recognizes him as Christ, the Son of the living God, he plunges into the sea to quickly meet the Risen One”, he highlighted.
He described how the Apostle “frankly and courageously proclaims Jesus in the Temple, before and after being arrested and flogged. Tradition also tells us about his firmness in the face of martyrdom ”, which took place in Rome.
In this way, Peter “is a rock and also a stone, apt to offer support to others: a stone that, founded on Christ, serves as a support to the brothers for the building of the Church”.
Likewise, “he cares for those who suffer; promotes and encourages the common proclamation of the Gospel. It is a ‘rock’, it is a reliable point of reference for the entire community”, he confirmed.
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“Littleness” in San Pedro
In the portrait that Pope Francis makes of Saint Peter, he indicated that “it is also a little stone: its smallness often emerges.”
He explained that “sometimes he does not understand what Jesus is doing; Faced with his arrest, he allows himself to be overcome by fear and denies it, then he repents and cries bitterly, but does not find the courage to remain under the cross ”.
Peter “hides with the others in the upper room, for fear of being caught. In Antioch he is ashamed to be with the converted pagans – and Paul asks him for consistency in this regard.
The Holy Father recalled that, according to the Quo vadis tradition, Peter “tries to flee from martyrdom, but he meets Jesus on the road and finds the courage to turn back.”
In his address, he encouraged us to question ourselves: “Is there in us ardor, zeal, passion for the Lord and for the Gospel, or is it something that falls apart easily? And then, are we stones, not stumbling blocks, but building stones for the Church? Do we work for unity, are we interested in others, especially the weakest?
To conclude, he reiterated, thinking of the “little stone”: “Are we aware of our littleness? And above all: in our weaknesses, do we entrust ourselves to the Lord, who does great things with those who are humble and sincere?
The Holy Father prayed that “Mary, Queen of the Apostles” help us “to imitate the strength, generosity and humility of Saints Peter and Paul.”
Ukrainian peace
After the Angelus, he addressed a cordial greeting and congratulations to the people of Rome, on the feast of the patron saints Peter and Paul.
He took the opportunity to thank the “Pro Loco di Roma” Association, which organized the “historic floral exhibition, created by Master Florists” from various regions of Italy and which is now in its tenth edition.
“Beautiful floral carpets inspired by peace have been placed and this tells us not to get tired of praying for peace, especially for the Ukrainian people, who are in my heart every day,” Pope Francis said.
On the other hand, the Pontiff renewed his greetings “to the Delegation of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, which has participated in today’s celebration, and I send a hug to my dear Brother, His Holiness Bartholomew.”
Meanwhile, the Pope greeted the faithful who have come “to celebrate the metropolitan archbishops”, for whom he blessed the canopies this morning.
He also had words of affection directed “to the groups from Brazil, Croatia, Mexico, Nicaragua, Poland, the United States of America and various parts of Italy.”
“I wish you all a good party and please don’t forget to pray for me. Bon appetit and see you later!” she concluded.
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