As bishops from Madagascar came to Rome for an “ad limina” visit as a sign of unity with their pastors, Pope Francis said he saw the arrival in Rome of the consecrated community of Malagasy priests and nuns living in Italy.
Monsignor Joji Vadakara, Vatican City
In connection with the visit of bishops from Madagascar, an island nation in Africa, Pope Francis called on the consecrated community from Madagascar to maintain unity and grow as a community by working with the bishops.
Pope Francis also received consecrations from Madagascar at the Vatican on the occasion that the shepherds of Madagascar came to the Vatican as part of an “ad limina” visit to visit the tombs of Saints Peter and Paul. The Pope emphasized that unity is also a witness to be brought to today’s society. The Pope said that today’s society needs reconciliation and unity.
The Pope reminded that in today’s societies and even in the Church, personal interests are often given priority. Saying slanderous things about others has become a daily thing today. But Pope Madagascar asked the devotees to say good things about others and to avoid confessions that bring divisive thoughts in society.
The Pope said that the spirit of guilt and the virus of selfishness in the world often make coexistence between peoples and members of the same community intolerable. But at the same time, the Pope highlighted that the consecration to Christ of the devotees from Madagascar is proof that life can be lived in a different way in the light of the Gospel that brings true joy.
The Pope called the Madagascar consecrated community to help each other, to walk together, to renew and flourish in your faith by walking in the footsteps of the many saints and saints who have gone before you.
Located in the Indian Ocean, Madagascar is the fourth largest island in the world, the forty-seventh largest country, and the second largest island nation.