Sunday, October 1, 2017

In Cesena, a meeting with the people

At 7:00am today (local time), the Holy Father, Pope Francis departed aboard a helicopter from the Vatican to begin his pastoral visit to Cesena, marking the three hundredth anniversary of the birth of his predecessor Pope Pius VI.  His Holiness will also visit Bologna at the conclusion of their Diocesan Eucharistic Congress.

Upon his arrival at the heliport, near the Cesena Racecourse, the Pope was welcomed by His Excellency, Douglas Regattieri, Bishop of Cesena-Sarsina; Doctor Fulvio Rocco de Mariins, Prefect of Forlì-Cesena; and Doctor Paolo Lucchi, Mayor of Cesena.

Immediately afterwards, the Holy Father went to the People's Square where - at 8:10am - there was an encounter held with the citizens.  When that encounter was concluded, there was an exchange of gifts between the Pope and the Mayor.


Speech of the Holy Father, Pope Francis
during the encounter with citizens

Dear brothers and sisters, good morning!

I am happy to begin my visit to Cesena by meeting with its citizens, in this place that is so significant for the civic and social life of your city.  A city that is rich in civility and that cares for its history, that among its illustrious children has given birth to two Popes: Pius VI, whose three hundredth birthday we are commemorating, and Pius VII.

For centuries, this Piazza has represented a place of encounter for citizens and the place where the market is set up.  Thus it has earned its name: Piazza del Popolo, or simply the Piazza because it is of the people, a public space where significant decisions are made for the city in its municipal building and where economic and social initiatives are begun.  The piazza (square) is an emblematic place, where aspirations of individuals meet needs, expectations and the dreams of all citizens; where individual groups are made aware that their desires are in harmony with those of the community.  I would say - allow me to use an image - in this Square, you create the common good of all people, here you work toward the common good of all.  This harmonization of individual desires with those of the community creates the common good.  In this Square we learn that, without continual consistency, commitment and intelligent thinking about the common good, even individuals cannot enjoy their own rights and realize their most noble aspirations, because this would be a less ordered and civil space for them to live and work in.

The central location of the Square therefore sends the message that it is essential for us to work together for the common good.  And this is the basis of good government in a city, which makes it beautiful, healthy and welcoming, a crossroads of initiatives and a driving force for sustainable and integral development.

This Square, like all other Squares in Italy, recalls the need for community life, for good politics; not a matter of individual ambitions or overthrowing factions or a centre of interests.  A policy that is neither a servant or a master, but a friend and a collaborator; not fearful or adverse, but responsible and therefore courageous and prudent at the same time; to increase the involvement of people, their progressive inclusion and participation; that does not leave any category on the sidelines, that does not plunder or pollute natural resources - in fact they are not a bottomless pit but a treasure given us by God so that we can use it with respect and intelligence.  A policy that can harmonize the legitimate aspirations of people and groups by keeping the rudder firm in the interest of all citizens.

This is the authentic face of politics and its reason for being: an invaluable service toward the good of the whole community.  And this is the reason why the Church's social doctrine considers it a noble form of charity.  Therefore, I invite all young people and those who are not so young to adequately prepare yourselves and personally commit yourselves to this field, assuming from the outset the perspective of the common good and rejecting all forms of corruption, even the most minimal ones.  Corruption is a threat to political vocation.  Corruption does not allow us to believe in civilization.  Good politics also has its own cross when we want to be good because so very often we have to leave behind our own personal ideas and take up the initiatives put forward by others, always trying to harmonize them, to accommodate them, so that it is truly the common good that is put forward.  In this sense, the political good always leads us to being martyrs in service, because we leave behind our own ideas but we don't abandon them, we put them into discussion with everyone in order to continue toward the common good, and this is very good.

From this Square, I send you to consider the nobility of political action in the name of and in favour of your people, who recognize in you a history and a shared value, and who quietly ask for ordinary life and development.  I urge you to demand from the protagonists of public life the coherence of their commitment, preparation, moral rectitude, initiative, longing, patience and strength of character in addressing the challenges of our time, without however requiring impossible perfection.  And when a politician is wrong, may he have the largesse of soul to say: I'm wrong, excuse me, let's keep going.  This is noble!  Human and historical events and the complexity of problems mean that most often we cannot resolve everything right away.  The magic wand doesn't work for politics.  A healthy realism knows that even the best executive class cannot solve all questions right away.  In order to understand this, just try to act personally instead of just seeing and criticizing the work of others from the balcony.  This is a defect, when criticism is not constructive.  If a politician is wrong, go and tell him, there are many ways to say: I believe that this would be better this way, ....  Through the press, the radio ... But say it constructively.  And don't just look on from the balcony, observe from the balcony, while you wait for the other person to fall.  No, this is not the way to build civilization.  In this way, you will find the strength to take on the responsibilities that compete with us, including at the same time, while at the same time understanding that even with the help of God and the words of mankind, we may still commit mistakes.  Everyone makes mistakes.  Excuse me, I was wrong.  Let us start over and ... keep going.

Dear brothers and sisters, this city, like all of Romagna, has traditionally been a land of passionate political persons.  I want to say to you and to all people: rediscover in today's time the value of this essential dimension of civil coexistence and lend your contribution, ready to allow the good in everything on one hand; ready to recognize that every idea needs to be verified and reshaped in comparison with reality; ready to recognize that it is crucial that we initiate projects by generating broad partnerships rather than by focusing only on occupying positions.  Be demanding with yourselves and with others, knowing that conscientious involvement preceded by proper preparation will bear fruit and increase the good and even the happiness of others.  Listen to everyone, everyone has a right to be heard, but especially, listen to the young people and to the elderly.  The young, because they have the strength to carry out their ideas; and the elderly, because they have the wisdom of life, and the authority to say to the young - even to young politicians - Look young man, young lady, you're wrong about this, take this other path, think about it.  Such a relationship between the elderly and the young is a treasure that we should restore.  Is this the time of youth?  Yes, partly: it is also the time of the elderly.  Today is the time in politics for dialogue between the young and the elderly.  Please, keep going in this direction!

In recent years, politics has seemed to retreat in the face of aggression and the pervasiveness of other forms of power, like financial and media influence.  The right to good politics, its independence, its specific ability to serve the public good, to act in order to diminish inequalities, to promote the good of families with concrete measures, to provide a solid framework for rights and responsibilities - to balance them both - and to make them effective for everyone.  A people, recognized in an ethos and in their own culture, expect from good politics both the defence of and the harmonious development of this heritage, and the attainment of its highest potential.  Let us pray to the Lord, that he may raise up good politicians, who truly have at heart the society, the people and concern for the poor.  To Him, the God of justice and peace, I entrust the social and civil life of your city.  Thank you.

No comments: