The Pope received the members of the National Council of the Union of the Visually Impaired and the Blind in Italy, thanking them for their responsible assistance to the disabled.
(Vatican News Network)Pope Francis received members of the Italian National Council of the Union of the Visually Impaired and Blind at the Vatican on December 12, the day before the feast of Saint Lucia. This saint is the patron saint of the visually impaired and blind.
To the members of this lay association, the Pope introduced them to the Virgin Lucia. The saint is upright, she acts according to conscience, she «she doesn’t play a double game and doesn’t compromise». In other words, you are a “clear, transparent, sincere” person who “brings light”. The blind and visually impaired, provided they are “well educated in ethical principles, civic conscience”, can also be at the forefront, like St. Lucia, “to build more inclusive communities in which everyone can participate”, without being ashamed of their limitations and fragility, but to cooperate with others, to support each other, to promote one’s own fulfilment”.
When it comes to disabilities, people often think of relief and mercy. The Pope said: “The Pope doesn’t see you like this, the Church doesn’t see you like this. The Christian vision of disability is no longer, and shouldn’t be, compassion or pure relief, but being aware that if we have Responsibility, solidarity with vulnerability, vulnerability becomes a resource for all of society and the ecclesial community”.
The pope concluded by applauding the alliance for a century of defense of the rights of the blind and of collaboration with the country to promote the progress of civilization. Italian society needs hope, and this comes above all from personal testimony, namely: “Vulnerable people don’t withdraw into themselves, they don’t complain about what has happened to them, but they join hands with others to improve many things “.
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