The Pope, after greeting all those present, Romans and pilgrims from various countries, recalled that eighty years ago some districts of Rome were bombed. Unfortunately, today these tragedies are repeated, so I pray that the Lord will have mercy on us and deliver the human family from the scourge of war. In particular, we pray for the dear Ukrainian people who are suffering so much.

After the Angelus

Dear brothers and sisters,

I greet you all, Romans and pilgrims from various countries.

I greet the Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of the Apostles, gathered in Rome for their General Chapter.

I send my heartfelt greeting to the Cenacolo Community, which has been a place of hospitality and human promotion for forty years; I bless Mother Elvira, the bishop of Saluzzo, and all the fraternity and friends. What you do is good, and it is good that you exist! Thank you!

I want to recall that, eighty years ago, on 19 July 1943, some quarters of Rome, especially San Lorenzo, were bombed, and the Pope, the Venerable Pius XII, wanted to go among the devastated people. Unfortunately, today too these tragedies are repeated. How is this possible? Have we lost our memory? May the Lord have mercy on us and deliver the human family from the scourge of war. In particular, we pray for the dear Ukrainian people, who are suffering so much.

I wish to greet and thank all the parishes that are carrying out summer activities with children and young people – there is a very popular one in the Vatican too. Thank you to the priests, the sisters, the animators and the families! In this context, I extend my best wishes for the next edition of the Giffoni Film Festival, where the protagonists are young people and children.

I wish you all a good Sunday. Please, do not forget to pray for me: I do so for you. Enjoy your lunch, and arriverderci.