Pope Leo calls on Israel to deliver aid goods – Diepresse.com
At his first general audience, Leo XIV welcomes the pilgrims on a trip over St. Peter’s Square. He opens the audience with a peace message.
The Pope opened his first general audience on Wednesday with a peace message. So he called on people to « disarm hearts ». « In this month dedicated to the Blessed Mother, I would like to repeat the request of the Virgin of Fatima: ‘Pray the rosary every day for peace.’ Together with Maria, we ask the people not to close this gift from God and to disarm their hearts, ”said Leo XIV.
The general audience had started with a 15-minute ride in Papamobil via St. Peter’s Square. As at the fair for his inauguration on Sunday, he greeted the thousands of people from St. Peter’s Basilica from the white vehicle and blessed children who were served with the barrier. People reacted with cheers, applause and « Viva Il Papa » calls.
« /> A peace flag on St. Peter’s Square. Thousands of people gathered to attend his general audience. Reuters / Guglielmo Mangiapane
« End hostility »
The Pontifex explained the situation in the Middle East. « The situation in Gaza is becoming increasingly worrying and painful. I renew my urgent appeal to let the humanitarian aid end in dignity and put an end to the hostilities whose shocking price of children, the elderly and the sick is paid, » said the Pope.
Leo ready for mediators in the Ukraine War
According to Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Pope Leo XIV is available as a host for talks between the warring parties of Russia and Ukraine in the Vatican. Meloni spoke to the Pope on Tuesday, her office said. In doing so, she found that « the Holy Father is ready to organize upcoming conversations between the parties in the Vatican ». In turn, the Italian Prime Minister thanked the Pope for his « unshakable commitment to peace », it continued. In addition, Meloni spoke to the Ukrainian President Wolodymyr Selenskij and several other top politicians on Tuesday to ensure « close coordination » with regard to peace negotiations. (APA)
Hope: Pope refers to paintings van Goghs
Pope Leo quoted a painting by Vincent van Gogh from the Sämann from the Sämann from the Sämann from the gospel. « I think of this beautiful painting by van Gogh: ‘The sämann at sunset’. This picture of the seedy in the scorching sun also speaks of the farmer’s hardship. And it is noticeable to me that van Gogh has already portrayed the mature grain. It ”, emphasized Leo XIV. He addressed greetings to the pilgrims in different languages, including English and Spanish.
« God loves without calculation, » added the Pope. He continued the catechesis of the hope that Pope Francis had started and which was devoted to hope. « We are used to calculating things – and sometimes this is also necessary – but this does not apply to love! The way this ‘wasteful’ sower sows the seed, is a picture for the way God loves us, » says the Pope.
Pope Leo commemorates Francis
Leo XIV thought of his predecessor Francis, who died exactly a month ago – on April 21. The Argentine Pope held his last general audience on February 12 in the Vatican audience hall. However, he had his speech read out by an employee. Two days later, he was brought to the Gemelli Clinic for more than five weeks due to a serious respiratory disease. On April 21, he died in his apartment in the Vatican at the age of 88. (APA/dpa/Reuters/editor)
