The Holy Father, after praying the Angelus, this Sunday, June 12, 2022, “addressed the people and authorities of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and South Sudan, to express his regret and apologize for having postponed his Apostolic Journey to these countries and wished to visit them as soon as possible”.
The Pope greeted the beatification yesterday, Saturday, in Poland, “of Sister Paschalina Jahn and nine martyr sisters, from the Congregation of the Sisters of Saint Elizabeth killed at the end of World War II.”
He recalled the World Day Against Child Labor that is celebrated today. “Let’s all work to eliminate this plague”
Francis had a thought for the Ukrainian population afflicted by the war and finally greeted the faithful and pilgrims present in Saint Peter’s Square wishing them a happy Sunday
Below are the words of the Pope after the Angelus, offered by the Holy See Press Office:
Words of the Pope
Dear brothers and sisters!
Sister Paschalis Jahn and nine sister martyrs of the Congregation of the Sisters of Saint Elizabeth, killed at the end of the Second World War in a context hostile to the Christian faith, were beatified yesterday in Breslavia, Poland. Although they were aware of the risks they were running, these three women religious remained alongside the elderly and sick people they were looking after. May their example of faith to Christ help us all, especially Christians who are persecuted in various parts of the world, to bear witness to the Gospel courageously. A round of applause for the new Blesseds!
And now I would like to address the people and authorities of the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan. Dear friends, with great regret, due to problems with my leg, I have had to postpone my visit to your countries, planned for the first days of July. I truly feel great sorrow for having had to postpone this trip, which means so much to me. I apologize for this. Let us pray together that, with the help of God and medical attention, I will be able to be with you as soon as possible. Let us be hopeful!
Today is the World Day against Child Labour. Let us all work to eliminate this scourge, so that no child is deprived of his or her fundamental rights and forced or coerced to work. The exploitation of children for work is a terrible situation that affects us all!
The thought of the people of Ukraine, afflicted by war, remains vivid in my heart. Let the passage of time not temper our grief and concern for that suffering population. Please, let us not grow accustomed to this tragic situation! Let us always keep it in our hearts. Let us pray and strive for peace.
I greet you all, Romans and pilgrims from Italy and many countries. In particular, I greet the faithful from Spain and Poland, the Musical Band of San Giorgio di Castel Condino, which I look forward to hearing play at the end, the Verona Minor Hierusalem Foundation, catechists from Grottamare, candidates for Confirmation from Castelfranco Veneto, and the faithful of Mestrino. I also greet the AVIS group from Codogno and I express my appreciation to those who donate blood, a simple and noble gesture of solidarity.
I greet you all, also the young people of Mary Immaculate. I wish you a blessed Sunday. And please, do not forget to pray for me. Enjoy your meal, and arrivederci.
