2023-11-06 12:56:57
Pope Francis received members of the Conference of European Rabbis at the Vatican this Monday but declined to read their speech. As he himself explained, he was not feeling well and decided to give them the writing in hand instead of reading it aloud.
“Good morning, I greet you all and welcome you. Thank you for this visit that I like so much, but it happens that I am not in good health and that is why I prefer not to read the speech but to give it to you and that you carry it,” the Pope said with a tired and somewhat hoarse voice when receiving the rabbis.
The director of the Vatican Press Office, Matteo Bruni, has subsequently assured that the Pontiff He has “a bit of a cold and a long day of hearings”and has specified that his agenda has not been suspended.
In the writing, the Pope regrets that “once again violence and war have broken out on that Earth which, blessed by the Almighty, seems continually opposed by the baseness of hatred and the fatal noise of weapons.” It also expresses its concern “for the proliferation of anti-Semitic demonstrations” and “firmly” expresses its condemnation.
“In this time of destruction,” he points out, “we believers are called, for all and above all, to build fraternity and open paths of reconciliation” and affirms: “Not weapons, nor terrorism, nor war, but compassion , justice and dialogue are the appropriate means to build peace.”
Meeting with Aragonés
In the speech, he addresses the Jews to point out that “we need you, dear brothers, we need Judaism to understand ourselves better. Therefore, it is important that Keep Judeo-Christian dialogue alive theological dimension while continuing to address social, cultural and political issues.” He also calls on them to “bear witness to his word with our dialogue and to his peace with our conduct”: “May the Lord of history and life give us courage and patience to do it. Salom!”
Related
It so happens that the meeting with the rabbis came on the same day as his meeting with Pere Aragonés widely spread by separatism, which expected support from the Vatican for the Catalan cause. The private audience, held in the Private Library of the Apostolic Palace, was “very cordial”, lasted about 40 minutes and in it the Catalan president and the Pope were able to “share points of view on various topics”, according to sources from the Generalitat.
Call for a “ceasefire”
The same sources cited by Europa Press highlight that among the topics was “shared concern about the situation in Israel and Palestine.” The issue was also discussed by the Pope this weekend after praying the Angelus, when he took the opportunity to ask for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, so that “the wounded can be helped and that help reaches the population of Gaza, where the humanitarian situation is desperate.”
“I continue to think about the serious situation in Palestine and Israel, where so many people have lost their lives. Please, in the name of God, cease fire. I hope that all possible paths will be sought so that an expansion of the conflict is absolutely avoided.” said the Pope, looking out over St. Peter’s Square from the window of the papal palace.
He also reiterated his call for those kidnapped by Hamas terrorists to be immediately released: “Among them there are many children. Let them return to their families,” Francis asked.
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