| Vatican City (Fides Service) - “Even little children can be builders of peace!” the Pope said yesterday during his Angelus reflection as he addressed thousands of children belonging to Catholic Action in Italy gathered in St Peter’s Square at the end of a month of special efforts dedicated to peace.
Reflecting on the Sunday Gospel and the Sermon on the Mount the Pope recalled that Jesus said “Blessed are the peace makers” (Mt 5,9) and he added “Even little children can be builders of peace!”. “They too must practice dialogue and learn to "overcome evil with good" (cfr Rom 12,21), as I said in my Message for World Day of Peace this year. We must overcome injustice with justice, lies with the truth, revenge with forgiveness, hatred with love. This style of life cannot be improvised, it requires education from childhood. Education comprising sound teaching and above all good example in the family, at school and in every sector of society. Parishes, oratories, associations, church movements and groups must become privileged places for this pedagogy of peace and love, to learn to grow together.”
After praying the Angelus the Pope recalled that it was the World Day for solidarity with those with leprosy: “In the poorest parts of the world this disease although curable still affects millions of people including many children. To these brothers and sisters I send special greetings assuring them of my prayers and I include all those who assist them in many different ways. I hope commitment by the international community will succeed in eradicating this social scourge. I greet all those present here today, particularly members of the Associazione Italiana Amici di Raoul Follereau, and I wish all of you a very happy Sunday.” (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 31/1/2005; righe 21; parole 285)
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