After the Angelus prayer from the Apostolic Palace on Sunday 10 September, Pope Francis turned his thoughts to Poland, where this morning, 10 September, in Markowa, the martyrs Joseph and Victoria Ulma and their 7 children were beatified.
These were the Pope’s words after the Marian prayer, given by the Holy See Press Office:
The Pope’s words
After the Angelus
Dear brothers and sisters,
I wish to express my proximity to the dear people of Morocco, stricken by a devastating earthquake. I pray for the injured, for those who have lost their lives – so many! – and for their relatives. I thank the rescue workers and those who are working to alleviate the suffering of the people; may concrete help on the part of everyone support the population at this tragic time: let us be close to the people of Morocco!
Today in Markowa, Poland, the martyrs Józef and Wiktoria Ulma, with their seven children, were beatified: an entire family exterminated by the Nazis on 24 March 1944 for having given shelter to some persecuted Jews. They opposed the hatred and violence that characterized that time with evangelical love. May this Polish family, which represents a ray of light in the darkness of the Second World War, be for all of us a model to imitate in the zeal for goodness and service to those in need. A round of applause for this family of Blesseds!
And following their example, let us hear the call to oppose the force of weapons with that of charity, the rhetoric of violence with the tenacity of prayer. Let us do so above all for the many countries that are suffering due to war; in a special way, let us intensify our prayer for beleaguered Ukraine. There are the flags, there, of Ukraine, which is suffering so, so much!
The day after tomorrow, 12 September, the dear Ethiopian people will celebrate their traditional New Year. I wish to extend my warmest wishes to the entire population, in the hope they will be blessed with the gifts of fraternal reconciliation and peace.
Let us turn our thoughts today to the Abbey of Mont-Saint-Michel, in Normany, which is celebrating the millennium of the consecration of its temple.
And I greet you all, Romans and pilgrims from Italy and various countries, in particular the parish of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, from Madrid; the Risen Christ pastoral community from Saronno; candidates for confirmation from Soliera, and high school students from Lucca.
As we approach the beginning of the catechetical year, Elledici, the Salesian publishing house, is donating to those present in the square today a catechetical handbook, entitled “Step by step”: it is a beautiful gift! I would like to take this opportunity to thank the catechists for their valuable work and to wish the boys and girls in catechism the joy of encountering Jesus.
I wish you all a good Sunday, and please do not forget to pray for me. Enjoy your meal, and arrivederci!
