Drawing on familiar themes from his pontificate, Francis warned against the pursuit of worldly goods and fame at the expense of the dignity of others.
“The mentality of the world demands that we become somebody, that we make a name for ourselves at all costs, by breaking social norms to accumulate wealth,” he said. “How sad an illusion!” »
In January, Pope Francis announced the start of a year of prayer in preparation for the Jubilee Year 2025 of the Catholic Church. This year-long celebration, he said Thursday, highlights the need “to make the prayer of the poor our own and to pray with them.”
“The vast majority of poor people have a particular openness to faith; they need God and we must not fail to offer them his friendship, his blessing, his word, the celebration of the sacraments and a path of growth and maturity in the faith,” the pope said.
The poor are clearly disposed to receive God’s grace, Francis noted; having nothing else, they “receive strength from God and put all their trust in him.”
The Holy Father also highlighted the example of Mother Teresa of Calcutta, who spent her life working for the poor and who describes herself as “just a poor sister who prays.”
