At Verano, Leo XIV prays for those mourning the victims of war
At the All Souls' Mass, the Pope asked that the tears of mothers, children and elderly people touch those who can silence the weapons
On the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed, Pope Leo XIV this afternoon at 4 pm presided over Mass at the monumental entrance of Rome's Verano Cemetery, where he laid flowers before a tomb in tribute to those buried there (Vatican News).
A prayer for the victims of war. In his homily (official Italian text), reflecting on the Beatitude "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted", the Pope said: "At this moment we wish to pray for those who have recently lost a loved one, especially those from whom it was torn away by the senseless violence of war. May the tears of so many mothers, so many children, so many elderly people touch the consciences of those who have the power to silence the weapons!" (our translation).
St Francis and "Sister Bodily Death". Marking the 800th anniversary of the death of St Francis of Assisi, Leo XIV recalled the "beatitude" the saint added to his Canticle of the Creatures about "Sister Bodily Death".
A bond transformed. The Pope concluded that "faith in Christ tells us that our bond with the faithful departed is not broken, but transformed" (our translation).
Sources: Holy See Press Office, Bulletin B0860; Vatican News. Photo: Vatican Media.
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Source: Sala Stampa della Santa Sede