Friday, September 8, 2017

In Bogotá, Meeting the vulnerable outside the Nunciature

Having returned to the Apostolic Nunciature at the conclusion of the Mass celebrated in Simón Bolívar Park last night, the Holy Father met with groups of children, the elderly and disabled persons outside the Nunciature.  The Holy Father spoke briefly with them and imparted his blessing before retiring for the evening.


Greetings of the Holy Father, Pope Francis
outside the Apostolic Nunciature in Bogotá

Holy Father
Good evening and thank you, thank you for these nice things, thank you for the dance, thank you for the song, thank you for being here - all of you.  Thank you very much.

María said something very beautiful, that the human being is more visible when ... can you repeat it ... Linda María, can you read it, I want to hear it again, just this part here.

Little girl
We want a world in which vulnerable people are recognized as essential for humanity.  Far from weakening, they help to strengthen and dignify us all.  A place for common encounter that humanizes all of us.

Holy Father
All of this is quite a message, a world in which vulnerability is considered to be the essence of humanity ... because we are all vulnerable, all of us.  Within us, among our sentiments, many things already don't work well within us, but no one sees those things.  Other things are seen by everyone.  We need to respect vulnerability, we need to caress it so that it can be cured as much as possible, and so that it can bear fruit for others.  We are all vulnerable.  Linda María, do you dare to answer a question ... who is the only person who is not vulnerable?

Little girl
God.

Holy Father
God!  God is the only one who is not vulnerable, all of us are vulnerable, some vulnerabilities are seen, others are not seen.  But this is the essence of humanity that must be supported by God, all of us.  That's why you should not, you cannot rule over anyone.  Is it clear?  For every one of us is a treasure, offered to God, so that God may make this treasure grow in whatever way he wishes.

Thank you for the witness that you provide.  Thank you for your words.

Ok, before we go, let's pray a Hail Mary together and I'll give you my blessing.

Hail Mary ...

And please don't forget to pray for me, because I am very vulnerable.

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