Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Brindisi (Agenzia Fides) – After the Mass celebrated at the Shrine of Santa Maria de finibus terrae, the Holy Father Benedict XVI returned to Brindisi by helicopter. In the Lenio Flacco Square, he held an encounter with its citizens, especially with the youth of the Archdiocese. “ I am delighted to visit your city,” the Pope said during his speech, highlighting the fact that Brindisi, “once a site of embarkation for merchants, soldiers, learned men, and pilgrims to the East, is still a port that opens out into the sea.”
“In recent years,” the Pontiff continued, “the newspapers and televisions have shown images of refugees who reach Brindisi from Croatia, Montenegro, Albania, and Macedonia. I think we should recall with gratitude, the efforts that have been and continue being made by the civil and military administrators, in collaboration with the Church and various humanitarian aid organizations, in offering them refuge and assistance, in spite of the economic difficulties that unfortunately continue to afflict your region.”
Solidarity is one of the virtues that characterizes the rich civil and religious patrimony of the people of Brindisi, the Pope said, encouraging all to continue, “with renewed impetus,” in working together to build their future. “Among the values rooted in your land, I would like to mention respect for life and, especially, the family bonds, which are today exposed to a convergent attack from the many forces that try to weaken them,” the Pope said, explaining that “there is an urgent need, in the face of these challenges, for every person of good will to make a committed effort to protecting the family, the solid foundation on which the life of society as a whole is built!” Another building-block of society is the Christian faith, “that your ancestors maintained as one of the defining elements of the Brindisi identity. May adhesion to the Gospel, consciously renewed and lived with responsibility, inspire you, today as yesterday, in facing the present difficulties and challenges with confidence. May you be filled with the faith necessary in responding without compromises to the legitimate demands of human and social promotion of your city.”
The Pope then addressed the youth, saying: “I know, especially, of the weight that falls heavily over you and over your future, due to the unemployment plight, that above all is felt by the young people of southern Italy. At the same time, I know that your youthful spirit is fascinated by the lures of easy money, the temptation of taking refuge in a false paradise or in distorted forms of material satisfaction. Do not let yourselves be enticed by the snares of evil! Instead, seek a life that is rich in values, in order to give life to a society that is more just and more open to the future. Bear fruit with the gifts that God has given you in your youth: strength, intelligence, courage, enthusiasm, and the will to live. With this abundance of gifts, always counting on divine aid, you will be able to foster hope in yourselves and around you. It depends on you and on your heart to make progress become a good for all people. And the path of goodness, as you know, has a name: it is called love. In love, only in authentic love, is found the key to every hope, because love is rooted in God...And the love of God holds the tender and compassionate face of Jesus Christ. This is at the heart of the Christian message: Christ is the answer to your uncertainties and difficulties; in Him is every honest human aspiration met.”
In concluding, Benedict XVI encouraged the youth to know the Church, understand her, and love her, paying special attention to the voice of their Pastors: “She is composed of men, yet Christ who is her Head and His Spirit firmly guide her. You are the youthful face of the Church. Therefore, do not fail to make your contribution, because the Gospel that she proclaims should reach all places. Be apostles among your companions!” (SL) (Agenzia Fides 16/6/2008)
