Pope Leo: fame and success are surrogates for happiness, passing illusions
"Let us not waste time and energy chasing what is only appearance," said the Pontiff
Key points
"Approval, consensus, visibility are often given excessive importance, such that they condition people's ideas, behaviour and moods, cause suffering and divisions, and produce ephemeral, disappointing, imprisoning lifestyles and relationships. In reality, we do not need these 'surrogates of happiness''. Pope Leo said this during the Angelus in St Peter's Square. "Our joy and our greatness," he added, "are not based on passing illusions of success and fame, but on knowing that we are loved and wanted by our Father who is in heaven.
The Testimony of John the Baptist
The Pontiff's cue was the figure of John the Baptist, who, he said, 'recognises in Jesus the Saviour, proclaims his divinity and mission to the people of Israel, and then steps aside, having completed his task'. The Baptist, the Pontiff stressed, "is a man much loved by the crowds, to the point of being feared by the authorities in Jerusalem. It would have been easy for him to exploit this fame, instead he does not give in at all to the temptation of success and popularity. Before Jesus, he recognises his own littleness and makes room for the greatness of Him'. A very important testimony today, stressed Leo.
Don't chase appearances
"Let us learn from John the Baptist to keep the spirit alert, loving simple things and sincere words, living with sobriety and depth of mind and heart, being content with what is necessary and possibly finding a special moment each day, in which to stop in silence to pray, reflect, listen, in short to "make desert", to meet the Lord and be with Him".
Prayer for Congo victims, peace prevails
The Pope wished to recall "the great difficulties being suffered by the population in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo, who are forced to flee their country, especially to Burundi, because of the violence and face a serious humanitarian crisis. Let us pray that dialogue for reconciliation and peace will always prevail between the conflicting parties," the Pope said at the end of the Angelus recitation in St. Peter's Square.
Prayers for flood victims in southern Africa
