Pope calls on Europe to face effects of pandemic in a spirit of harmony and collaboration

Jesus points out two "remedies" to distress: have faith and know "He has reserved a place for us in Heaven". “Today Mother's Day is celebrated in many countries. I want to remember all mothers with gratitude and affection, entrusting them to the protection of Mary, our heavenly Mother. This thought also goes to mothers who have passed on to another life and accompany us from Heaven ".

Vatican City (AsiaNews) -  Pope Francis today called on Europe to face the effects of the pandemic "in a spirit of harmony and collaboration" and on Africa, to collaborate in the initiative to plant one million trees in the Sahel, in his reflections after the recitation of Regina Caeli, together with Mother's Day.

Before the recitation of the Marian prayer, which was again streamed lived from his private Library, he commented on the passage of the Sunday Gospel (cf. Jn 14: 1-12) which introduces Christ’s so-called 'Farewell Discourse'. He underlined how " the Lord indicates two remedies for distress. The first is: "Have faith in me" (v. 1). It would somewhat theoretical, abstract advice. Instead, Jesus is trying to tell us something specific. He knows that, in life, the worst anxiety, distress, arises from the feeling of not being able to cope, from feeling alone and without reference points before what is happening. This anguish, in which difficulty is added to difficulty, cannot be overcome alone. We Christ’s help. This is why Jesus asks to have faith in him, that is, not to rely on ourselves, but on him".

"Then there is a second remedy for the distress, which Jesus expresses in these words: "in my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. […] I am going to prepare a place for you”(v. 2). Here is what Jesus did for us: he booked us a place in Heaven. He took our humanity upon himself to carry it beyond death, to a new place, to Heaven, so that where He is we are too. It is the certainty that consoles us: there is a place reserved for each one of us. Each of us can say: 'there is a place for me'. We do not live aimlessly and without destination. We are expected, we are precious". “Let's not forget this: the dwelling that awaits us is Heaven. We are only passing here. We are made for Heaven, for eternal life, to live forever. "

"There are ways - he said again - that do not lead to Heaven: the ways of power, the ways of worldliness, the ways of self-affirmation. And there is the way of Jesus, the way of humble love, of prayer, of meekness, of trust. It is not the way of my protagonism, it is the way of Jesus protagonist of my life. It is going on every day asking him: 'Jesus, what do you think of my choice? What would you do in this situation with these people? " It will do us good to ask Jesus, who is the way, for directions to Heaven. May Our Lady, Queen of Heaven, help us to follow Jesus, who opened Heaven for us. "

It was after the recitation of the Regina Caeli that Francis spoke about Europe and Africa. "My thoughts - he said - go today to Europe and Africa. To Europe, on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the Schuman Declaration of 9 May 1950. It inspired the process of European integration, allowing the reconciliation of the peoples of the continent, after the Second World War, and the long period of stability and peace we benefit from today. May the spirit of the Schuman Declaration never fail to inspire those with responsibilities in the European Union, called to face the social and economic consequences of the pandemic in a spirit of harmony and collaboration. "

"And my gaze also turns to Africa, because on 10 May 1980, forty years ago, during his first pastoral visit to that continent, Saint John Paul II gave voice to the cry of the Sahel populations, severely tested by drought. Today I congratulate the young people who are working on the 'Laudato Si ’Trees' initiative. The goal is to plant at least one million trees in the Sahel region that will form part of the 'Great Green Wall of Africa'. I hope that many can follow the example of solidarity of these young people ".

“Today - he said finally - in many countries, Mother's Day is celebrated. I want to remember all mothers with gratitude and affection, entrusting them to the protection of Mary, our heavenly Mother. This thought also goes to mothers who have passed on to another life and accompany us from Heaven ".