Pope Francis flew by helicopter on Sunday for a short private visit to the Italian city of L’Aquila. The local cathedral was destroyed by an earthquake and 309 people were killed in 2009. Thousands of supporters welcomed the Pope, waved flags and listened to his words, including greetings to the families of the earthquake victims.
The pope called for “special attention” to churches as they rebuild earthquake-damaged L’Aquila. “The churches deserve special attention in the reconstruction of the city. They are the heritage of the community, not only in a historical and cultural sense, but also in a sense of identity. These stones are imbued with people’s beliefs and values,” he emphasized.
Francis was wearing a helmet given to him by the fire service for safety reasons and touring the cathedral in a wheelchair after struggling with knee problems for months.
Francis then celebrated a service with the faithful in front of the Basilica of Santa Maria di Collemaggio, where Pope Celestine V is buried. The visit comes the day after a plenum of cardinals in the Vatican, where 20 new cardinals from around the world were appointed (see video above).
“Appreciate Your Pain”
The Pope asked the people of L’Aquila to “appreciate” their own suffering in order to understand the pain of others. “Dear brothers and sisters, you suffered a lot from the earthquake and as a people you are trying to get back on your feet. But those who have suffered must be able to appreciate their own suffering, they must understand that in the darkness they have experienced, they have also been given the gift of understanding the pain of others.”
The excursion of the head of the Catholic Church to Abruzzo caused speculation as Pope Celestine V is buried there – the first pope to voluntarily relinquish his office in the 13th century.
The announcement sparked rumors that the 85-year-old Argentinian is about to retire. Francis after the resignation of his German predecessor Benedict XVI. adopted in 2013.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
