Slain Pakistani politician Shahbaz Bhatti Advent Sunday: ‘Pray for children in Syria’
Pope Francis lit a candle, a symbol of hope, to pray for children affected by violence and war in Syria and across the Middle East.
“Advent is a time of hope. At this moment I would like to make the hope for peace of the children of Syria, beloved Syria, mine,” the Pope prayed on December 2, the first Sunday of Advent.
From a window inside the Apostolic Palace, he lit a large pillar candle, decorated by a craftsman in Damascus with the photos of around 40 Syrian children. “This flame of hope and many flames of hope disperse the darkness of war,” he said.
Pope Francis prayed that Christians will be helped to stay in Syria and the Middle East “as witnesses of mercy, forgiveness and reconciliation” and noted his desire that the “flame of hope” would reach every person who is suffering from conflict around the world.
“The prayer of the Church helps them to feel the proximity of the faithful God and touches every conscience for a sincere commitment to peace,” he continued, adding: “God, our Lord, forgive those who make war, those who make weapons…and convert their hearts.”
Pope praises slain Catholic Pakistani politician
Commemorating the witness of Shahbaz Bhatti, Pope Francis expressed his hope that the Pakistani Catholic’s death will be a source of inspiration and hope for persecuted Christians.
Speaking to members of the “Missione Shahbaz Bhatti” association, the Pope said the group can help overcome barriers and create “dialogue, understanding and reconciliation” among different people and different faiths.
“One of the fruits of the sufferings of Christians is the multiplication of groups and associations – like yours – that build bridges of fraternity throughout the world, overcoming differences in language, culture and sometimes even religion,” he said.
Bhatti, who served as Pakistan’s minority affairs minister, was gunned down in 2011 after he said he would seek the reform of blasphemy laws to stop them being misused to persecute innocent Christians.
The Pope paid tribute to Bhatti and said he was pleased “to know that today he is loved and esteemed by many in Pakistan and that his sacrifice is bearing fruits of hope”.
He also encouraged the association to continue to proclaim the Gospel and aid “victims of false accusations”.
Victory awaits cancer sufferers ‘on horizon’ says Pope
It is not easy living with cancer, but there is always some kind of victory that awaits each person on the horizon, Pope Francis told young oncology patients from Poland on November 30. “Your journey in life is a bit difficult, dear children, because you have to get treated and overcome the disease or live with the disease. This is not easy,” he told them, their parents and health care specialists at the Vatican.
But with the support of family, friends and others, “there is no difficulty in life that cannot be overcome”, he told the children who are being treated at an oncology clinic in Wroclaw, Poland.
God has given everyone a guardian angel so that “he may help us in life”, Pope Francis said.
“Become accustomed to talking to your angel so that he may take care of you, give you encouragement and always lead you to victory in life.
“Victory is different for each person; everyone prevails in his or her way, but prevailing is always the ideal, it is the horizon for moving forward. Do not get discouraged,” he added.