Pope Francis Calls on Clergy to Be a Safe Harbor for the Wounded of Life

ROMA, 22 Sep. (ERUOPA PRESS) –

Pope Francis has asked the clergy of Marseille to be a “safe harbor” for the “wounded of life” during his speech in the Basilica of ‘Notre-Dame before priests, deacons, seminarians and superiors of the religious communities present in Marseille.

“Let us open the doors of churches and parish houses, but above all those of the heart, to show the face of Our Lord through our meekness, kindness and hospitality. May anyone who approaches them not find distances and judgments, but rather the testimony of a humble joy, more fruitful than any ostentatious capacity. May the wounded of life find a safe harbor in your gaze, a breath in your embrace, a caress in your hands, capable of wiping away tears,” he claimed.

In the first of the events of his visit to Marseille to close the ‘Mediterranean Meetings’, the Pontiff, who entered the basilica in a wheelchair, said that the consecrated people are also invited to make people feel the gaze of Jesus and, at the same time, bring the gaze of the brothers to Jesus. “In the first case, we are instruments of mercy, in the second instruments of intercession,” he added.

“ALWAYS FORGIVE”

And to the priests, he asked that they please, in the sacrament of penance, “always forgive.” “Always forgive,” he repeated to ensure that forgiveness must always be given generously to break the chains of sin through grace and “free them from blockages, regrets, resentments and also fears against which they cannot overcome alone.”

In this sense, he has asked you to be close to everyone and especially to the most fragile and less fortunate.” “His closeness that consoles, his compassion that heals, his tenderness that moves. Closeness, compassion, tenderness. Be close to everyone, especially the most fragile and less fortunate, and may those who suffer never lack your attentive and discreet closeness,” she said.

Thus, Francis has exhorted the clergy to bring to the brothers the gaze of God and to God the “thirst of the brothers.” “Let us spread the joy of the Gospel”, he said.