Pope in appeal for the 49 migrants on board Sea Watch and Sea Eye, denied a safe port
Since December 22nd the two ships have not received any permit to dock and land the migrants. Best wishes for Catholic and Orthodox Churches that celebrate Christmas tomorrow. "Fear" before Jesus.
Vatican City (AsiaNews) - A "heartfelt appeal" was addressed this morning by Pope Francis to European leaders "to demonstrate solidarity" with the 49 migrants from Sea Watch and the Sea Eye. Rescued from drowning in the Mediterranean Sea on 22 December, they do not receive permission from Malta, Italy and other European countries to dock in a safe port. In recent days, even the Italian bishops have appealed to authorities to allow the migrants disembark.
So far, Malta has only allowed the two ships of two NGOs to enter territorial waters, but without disembarking; Italy has proposed bringing food and water on board, or taking only women and children. Severely intoning every word, Francis launched his appeal after the Angelus prayer with the faithful in St Peter's Square.
Immediately afterwards he wished a Merry Christmas to "some Eastern, Catholic and Orthodox Churches, which follow the Julian calendar" and who will celebrate Christmas tomorrow. "To them - he said - I address my cordial and fraternal greetings in the sign of communion among all of us Christians, who recognize Jesus as Lord and Savior".
Previously the pontiff had focused on the significance of today's feast, the Epiphany. This morning at 10 o'clock the Pope had celebrated Mass in St. Peter's. Among the themes mentioned, linked to the Gospel of the day (Matthew 2, 1-12) is that of the "fear" of Herod and the scribes of Jerusalem: "They represent those who, even in our day, are afraid of the coming of Jesus and they close their hearts to their brothers and sisters who need help. Herod is afraid of losing power and does not think of the true good of the people, but of his personal self-interest. The scribes and the leaders of the people are afraid because they cannot look beyond their own certainties, thus failing to grasp the newness that is in Jesus ".
"We too - he concluded – must allow ourselves to be illuminated by the light of Christ that comes from Bethlehem. We must not allow our fear to close our hearts, but have the courage to open ourselves to this mild and discreet light. Then, like the Magi, we will experience "a very great joy" (verse 10) that we will not be able to keep for ourselves. May the Virgin Mary sustain us on this journey, a star that leads us to Jesus ".
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11/08/2017 20:05
