September 1 - 15 , 2017 PHILIPPINE ASIAN NEWS TODAY 25
The suffering of children wounds the heart , Pope Francis says
In a visit to a children ’ s home in Colombia , Pope Francis said that we can never accept the mistreatment or suffering of children , who are Jesus ’ favorites , and need our protection for a hope-filled future .
“ To see children suffer , wounds our hearts because children are Jesus ’ favorites . We can never accept that they are mistreated , that they are denied the right to live out their childhood peacefully and joyfully , that they are denied a future of hope ,” the Pope said Sept . 9 .
“ Jesus , however , never abandons those who suffer , much less you , boys and girls , who are his special ones .”
Pope Francis spoke to children , caregivers and teachers during a visit to a children ’ s home in the Boston neighborhood of Medellin .
Despite all of these horrible things , however , there are signs of Jesus ’ love for you and desire to be close to you , he encouraged , such as the children ’ s home and the care of good people .
Pope Francis asked the children if they remembered what is written in St . Matthew ’ s Gospel when Herod decides to kill the Infant Jesus . Do you remember “ how , in a dream , God spoke to Saint Joseph by means of an angel , and entrusted to his care and protection his most valuable treasures :
Jesus and Mary ?” he asked .
Joseph then obeyed immediately , taking the baby Jesus and his mother Mary to Egypt for safety .
“ I am sure that , just as Saint Joseph protected and defended the Holy Family from danger , so too he is defending you , caring for you and accompanying you ,” he said . And alongside him are Jesus and Mary , who always accompany him .
The Pope reminded the religious and lay people who care for the children of two parts of the Christian identity – “ the love that knows how to see Jesus present in the smallest and weakest , and the sacred duty of bringing children to Jesus .”
He commended them and all the joys and hardships of their work to St . Joseph ’ s protection .
“ Learn from him , that his example may inspire you and help you in your loving care for these little ones , who are the future of Colombian society , of the world and of the Church , so that like Jesus , they may grow and be strengthened in wisdom and grace , before God and others .”
Concluding , he promised to pray for all of them that they may “ grow in love , peace and happiness ,” and their “ wounds of body and heart ” heal .
“ God will not abandon you , but protect you and help you . And the
Pope will keep you in his heart . Please do not forget to pray for me ,” he
Vatican : Pope Francis ‘ is fine ’ after hitting face on popemobile said .( H . Brackhaus , CNA )
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The Vatican has confirmed that Pope Francis is fine after a mishap on the popemobile in Colombia , when he slipped and hit himself trying to reach a child , prompting a wave of concern on social media .
“ The Pope is fine ,” Vatican spokesman Greg Burke told
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members of the press corps traveling with Pope Francis in Colombia . He said Francis hit his cheek and eyebrow on the popemobile when it stopped abruptly as he was reaching for a child , and is using ice to lower the swelling .
In a tweet sent by Colombian
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radio station “ Caracol Radio ,” the Pope is seen with a black eye and bandage near his eyebrow , with a few spots of blood on his white cassock . In the video , when the journalist asks the Pope if he ’ s alright , Francis nods and then jests , saying “ somebody |
punched me !”
The incident happened in Cartagena on the last day of his Sept . 6-11 visit to Colombia , which also took him to the cities of Bogota , Medellin and Villavicencio .( E . harris , CNA )
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