PAPAL CATECHESIS ON JUSTICE, “THE BASIS OF PEACE”
Pope Francis, presiding at the weekly general audience in St Peter’s Square focused the catechesis on the virtue of justice, noting at the start that ,“Without justice, there is no peace!”
He said the Catechism describes justice as “the constant and firm will to give their due to God and neighbour” (No. 1807). Justice is not only a virtue to be practiced by individuals; it is above all a social virtue, for it is directed to the creation of communities in which each person is treated in accordance with his or her innate dignity. Justice is thus the basis of peace.”
The Holy Father explained that ,“the practice of justice demands the practice of other virtues, such as honesty, integrity, respect for law and commitment to the common good. Jesus calls blessed those who hunger and thirst for righteousness (cf. Mt 5:6). How greatly our world, riven by war and manifest inequality, needs men and women firmly committed to the pursuit of justice, so that the human family can live and flourish in unity, solidarity and peace.”
To see the video: Pope at Audience: The righteous and upright will find happiness – Vatican News
POPE FRANCIS RENEWS APPEAL FOR CEASEFIRE IN GAZA, DECRIES KILLING OF WORLD KITCHEN STAFF VOLUNTEERS
At the end of the general audience catechesis and summaries in different languages, Pope Francis made this appeal:
“Unfortunately, sad news continues to come from the Middle East. I reiterate my firm call for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. I express my deep regret for the volunteers killed while engaged in the distribution of humanitarian aid in Gaza. I pray for them and their families. I renew my appeal for the exhausted and suffering civilian population to be given access to humanitarian aid and for the hostages to be released immediately. Let us avoid all irresponsible attempts to broaden the conflict in the region, and let us work so that this and other wars that continue to bring death and suffering to so many parts of the world may end as soon as possible. Let us pray and work tirelessly for weapons to be silenced and for peace to reign once again.”
The 7 slain volunteers worked with the World Central Kitchen.
POPE PRAYS FOR PEOPLE SLAIN IN WAR, RECALLS UKRAINIAN SOLDIER OLEKSANDR, HOLDS HIS ROSARY
Continuing his appeals for peace, the Holy Father spoke of Ukraine and a young soldier, killed in action, whose rosary he held at the audience:
“And let us not forget tormented Ukraine; so many dead! I hold in my hands a rosary and a book of the New Testament left by a soldier who died in the war. This boy was called Oleksandr, Alexander, and he was 23 years old. Alexander read the New Testament and the Psalms, and in the Book of Psalms he had underlined Psalm 130: “Out of the depths I cry to thee, O Lord! Lord, hear my voice!”. This 23-year-old boy died in Avdiïvka, in the war. He had his life ahead of him. And this is his rosary and his New Testament, which he read and prayed. I would like us to take a moment of silence, all of us, thinking about this boy and many others like him who died in this folly of war. War always destroys! Let us think of them, and let us pray.” (video at 53:08: Pope at Audience: The righteous and upright will find happiness – Vatican News)
Pope Francis recalls a slain Ukrainian soldier, 23-year-old Oleksandr, who was kille
Joan's Rome 