Castel Gandolfo (AsiaNews) - The Samaritan "is despised by the Jews for his different religious beliefs, but unlike the priests and Levites he puts into practice the will of God, who loves mercy more than sacrifice." Commenting from Castel Gandolfo on the Gospel passage from Luke, Pope Francis once more focused on mercy as the true cipher of the Christian.
A man who lived fully this Gospel of the good Samaritan, the Pope added immediately after, "is the saint we remember today: St. Camillus de Lellis, founder of the Ministers of the Sick, patron of the sick and health care workers. St. Camillo died on July 14, 1614: today opens the 400th anniversary of his death, culminating in a year's time. I greet with affection all the spiritual sons and daughters of St. Camillus, living their charism of charity in daily contact with the sick. Be good Samaritans like him! And even the doctors, nurses and those who work in hospitals and nursing homes, I wish for you that you may be animated by the same spirit. We entrust this intention to the intercession of Mary most holy."
Yet another intention, Francis underlined, "I would like to entrust to the Virgin Mary. We are now approaching the World Youth Day in Rio de Janeiro. I will be leaving in eight days, but many young people will leave for Brazil even before that. Then let us pray for this great pilgrimage that begins, so that our Lady of Aparecida, the patroness of Brazil, may guide the steps of the participants, and open their hearts to accept the mission that Christ will give them ".
Shortly before the Angelus, the Pope met the people of Castel Gandolfo - where he will not spend the summer, but only each Sunday - along with the Bishop of Albano and the Mayor. After thanking them "for the hospitality," the Pope recalled his predecessors: "At this moment my thoughts go to Blessed John Paul II and Benedict XVI, who loved to spend part of the summer in the Papal residence. Many of you have been able to meet them and welcome them, preserving a cherished memory of the experience. May their testimony always be fore you an encouragement in daily fidelity to Christ and in the continuous effort to lead a life consistent with the demands of the Gospel and the teachings of the Church".