“Poverty is a scandal,” Pope Francis said in his homily on Sunday. He called on believers to remember the “invisible” poor, who are treated with indifference in a “busy and distracted society.” November 19 is World Day of the Poor.
A day that Pope Francis himself created in 2017. It is always celebrated on the second Sunday before Advent, this time the motto was: ‘Do not turn your face from any poor person.’ “Poverty is a scandal and the Lord will hold us responsible for it,” the pope said in his homily. “Let us remember the oppressed, the exhausted, the marginalized, the victims of wars and those forced to leave their homes; for those who are without bread, without work and without hope,” he asked the faithful at his mass.
Peace in the Middle East and Ukraine
There are “many material, cultural, and spiritual needs in our world and wounded existences that populate our cities.” During the Angelus prayer, Francis ultimately appealed for peace in Myanmar (civil war, note), in Ukraine and in the Middle East. . Peace is possible, but requires good will. “We should not resign ourselves to war. And let us not forget that war is always, always a defeat, only the arms manufacturers win.” The Pope recently called for humanitarian corridors in the Gaza Strip (see video above).
After the Mass, the pope dined with about 1,200 needy people in the Vatican audience hall, a tradition marking the World Catholic Day of the Poor. This time the food came from the Hilton hotel chain.
Caritas president in St. Stephen’s Cathedral
In Vienna, Caritas President Michael Landau spoke on Sunday during a service in Vienna’s St. Stephen’s Cathedral. Poverty is also a reality in Austria that cannot be accepted. More and more people can no longer afford daily life, which is reflected in the increasing number of Caritas consultations. For example, improvements in social assistance, higher compensation payments, higher unemployment benefits and an expansion of the number of childcare places, including legal rights, would be needed.
“Fighting poverty effectively, especially in Austria, is not a matter of ability, but of desire,” he agreed with Pope Francis. The traditional ‘Elisabeth collection’ of Caritas Huishoudelijke Hulp was held in Austrian parishes on Sunday, and there were also other solidarity initiatives.
Source: Krone
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