Pope Francis: the slavery of corruption affects us dramatically. War is always cruelty
Pope Francis arrived in St. Peter's Square in a white jeep, with him four children
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"The 'slavery of corruption' is a reality that concerns us closely and affects us dramatically". This was underlined by Pope Francis during the general audience, commenting on the letter to the Romans in which St Paul speaks of a universe that "groans and suffers as in labour pains" because of the man who has subjected it to the "slavery of corruption". Pope Francis arrived in St Peter's Square in a white jeep for the Wednesday general audience. With him were four children. Today the Pope began a new cycle of catechesis "The Spirit and the Bride. The Holy Spirit guides God's people towards Jesus our hope", focusing his reflection on the theme "The Spirit of God hovered over the waters".
War is always cruel, so many children suffer
."My thoughts go to the tormented Ukraine: the other day I received little boys and girls, who suffered burns, lost their legs in the war. War is always a cruelty," said Pope Francis in an appeal at the end of the general audience. "These boys and girls," he continued, "must begin to walk, to move, with artificial arms. They have lost their smile: it is very ugly, very sad, when a child loses his smile. Let us pray for the Ukrainian children". "Let us not forget Palestine and Israel, who are suffering so much," the Pontiff said again. "May the war end. And let us not forget Myanmar, which is at war, and the many countries that are at war." "Children suffer, children in war suffer," he concluded, "Let us pray to the Lord that he may be close to everyone and give us the grace of peace.
The Pope remembers do Giuseppe Rossi, martyr of fascism beatified in Novara
At the end of the general audience, Pope Francis recalled that Father Giuseppe Rossi, priest and martyr, was beatified last Sunday in Novara. "A zealous parish priest of charity," said Pope Francis, "he did not abandon his flock during the tragic period of the Second World War, but defended it even to the shedding of blood. "May his heroic witness help us to face life's trials with fortitude," the Pontiff added, then urging the faithful in St Peter's Square to applaud the new blessed.
