2023-08-07 03:02:05
Pope Francis spoke on Sunday, August 6, about his recovery and about the LGBTIQ+ Catholic population, thus sending a message of unity in the midst of World Youth Day that is taking place these days in Lisbon, Portugal.
Pope Francis in Lisbon, Portugal (Photo by Marco BERTORELLO / AFP) | Photo: AFP or licensors
As for his recovery, Francisco said his abdominal stitches were removed, but he had to wear a protective belt for two to three months to ensure his incision healed properly. “I am in good health,” he pointed out.
The pontiff also said that he included LGBTIQ+ Catholics in his call that “everyone, everyone, everyone” is welcome in the Catholic Church. The comment became in a certain way a motto for this World Youth Day, in a reflection of his vision of an inclusive Church open to all.
“The Church is mother,” he commented. “Each of us encounters God in his own way in the Church. And the Church is mother, and guides each one on his way.
One of the most notable acts in which Francis deviated from the script was when he was to deliver a prayer for peace at the Shrine of Fatima, which is famous precisely for its centuries-old connection to calls for peace and the conversion of Russia after the first World War.
Pope Francis was in Lisbon, and summoned 1.5 million people | Photo: afp week
Instead of delivering his prayer, Francis improvised his speech in front of the statue of the Virgin Mary and skipped the prayer entirely, instead reciting a Hail Mary along with disabled youth. The Vatican later posted part of the prayer on the pope’s account on platform X, formerly known as Twitter.
When asked why, Francis insisted on the flight back to Rome that he had prayed silently for peace, but did not want to give “publicity” to a public prayer. “I prayed! I prayed! I prayed to the Virgin and I prayed for peace. I did not advertise. But I prayed. And we have to continually repeat this prayer for peace.”
For the second time in his pontificate, Pope Francis makes a pilgrimage to the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fatima, on the sidelines of World Youth Day events in Lisbon. The pope’s visit comes at a time when the Portuguese Catholic Church is grappling with its legacy of clergy sexual abuse. (Photo by Paolo Cunha – Pool/Getty Images) | Photo: 2023 Pool
Meanwhile, Francis said he cut back on his other speeches because he realized young people “don’t pay much attention” and he needed to engage them, not lecture them with long, complicated speeches or homilies, he said.
“Sometimes homilies can be torture,” he commented. “Bla bla bla”. He said the Church must accept a new idea so that homilies are “brief and with a clear, loving message.”
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