- Carol Glatz, Vatican City (CNS).
"Tragic news continues to come these days from the Middle East, especially from Gaza," said Pope Leo XIV after reciting the Angelus with those gathered outside the papal palace in Castel Gandolfo yesterday, Sunday, July 20. "I again call for an immediate end to the the barbarity of war and a peaceful resolution of the conflict," he added painfully.
Last Friday, the Pontiff had asked the Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, for an immediate cease-fire, negotiations and the end of the war.
"I renew my appeal to the international community to observe humanitarian law and respect the obligation to protect civilians, as well as the prohibition of collective punishment, the indiscriminate use of force and the forced displacement of the population," said yesterday.
The names of the three fatalities
The Pope expressed his "profound sadness for the attack of the Israeli army on the Catholic Church of the Holy Family in Gaza City", on July 17, 2009.who killed three Christians and seriously injured others.
"I pray for the victims: Saad Issa Kostandi Salameh, Foumia Issa Latif Ayyad and Najwa Ibrahim Latif Abu Daoud, and I am particularly close to their families and all parishioners," the Pope said.
"Regrettably, this act adds to the continuing military attacks against the civilian population and places of worship in Gaza," the Pope said.
"The world can't stand war anymore."
Before praying the Angelus, the Pope spoke to reporters waiting near the entrance of the papal villa after celebrating Mass in nearby Albano Laziale.
He was asked about the conflicts in the Middle East, particularly in the Gaza StripHe said that it is necessary that the parties "come to the table to dialogue and lay down their weapons, because the world can't take it anymore".
"There are so many conflicts, so many wars; there is a need to really work for peace, to pray with trust in God, but also to really work for peace: to pray with trust in God, yes, but also to act."
To Netanyahu: leave so much violence behind
When asked about your phone call with the Prime Minister of IsraelBenjamin Netanyahu on July 18, the day after the attack, the Pope said: "We insist on the need to protect the holy places of all religions" and to work together in this regard.
But he added that it is necessary to "truly respect people, sacred places and try to leave behind so much violence, so much hatred, so many wars".
"You are in the heart of the Pope and of the whole Church."
After praying the Angelus, the Pope addressed all "our dear Christians in the Middle East."
"I deeply understand your feeling of helplessness in the face of this grave situation," he said. "You are in the heart of the Pope and of the whole Church. Thank you for your witness of faith."
He prayed that Our Lady would intercede to "protect you always and accompany the world towards the dawn of peace".
Greeting pilgrims and visitors from different parts of the world gathered in the small square, the Pope thanked the International Forum of Catholic Action for promoting the "Prayer Marathon for Leaders".
"The invitation, addressed to each one of us, is to pause today between 10 a.m. and 10 p.m. to pray for one minute, asking the Lord to enlighten our leaders and inspire in them projects of peace," he said.
Summer: time with God and caring for others
Summer should be spent cultivating time with God, relaxing and caring for others, Pope Leo XIV said at Mass celebrated yesterday in the cathedral of St. Pancratius Martyr in the town of Albano Laziale, southeast of Rome.
"During the summer, we have more free time to collect our thoughts and reflect, as well as to travel and spend time with others," he said in the homily at the Mass, which was celebrated before the Angelus at Castel Gandolfo.
"Let us take advantage of this to leave behind the whirlwind of commitments and worries and savor a few moments of peace and reflection, also taking time to visit other places and share the joy of seeing others, as I am doing here today," he added.
"The Holy Spirit did something else."
The cathedral of Albano had been named the titular church of the future pope on February 6, and the then Cardinal Robert F. Prevost was scheduled to take possession of it on May 12, the feast of St. Pancrazio.
"But the Holy Spirit did something else," Pope Leo said, smiling, in his homily, referring to his election as pope. May 8.
The diocese of Albano presented him with the same silver tray they had prepared for him as cardinal, adorned with his coat of arms, during a brief presentation of gifts in front of the cathedral's main entrance. However, "we had to fix the coat of arms," Bishop Vincenzo Viva of Albano told him, referring to the slight changes needed to make it a papal emblem.
The Pope had walked toward the cathedral from a back exit of the papal villas and gardens near the Vatican Observatory led by the Jesuits, which opens to the city of Albano Laziale. He greeted the hundreds of people who lined the streets and watched on giant screens in the square. Pope Leo then visited the Vatican Observatory to help commemorate the anniversary of the first moon landing, which took place on July 20, 1969.
After greeting a group of residents and shaking hands with local mayors, he blessed the cathedral with holy water before entering and concelebrating Mass with the bishop, Cardinal Michael Czerny, U.S. Father Manuel Dorantes, administrative and management director of the nearby Vatican-run Laudato Si' Center for Higher Education, and others.
Martha and Mary: service and listening, two dimensions of hospitality
In the homilyreflecting on the Gospel reading of the day (Luke 10:38-42) about Martha and her sister Mary, the Pope said that "service and listening are, in fact, two twin dimensions of hospitality".
It would be a mistake, he said, to see Martha's focus on serving Jesus and Mary's desire to sit at the Lord's feet to listen to him "as mutually exclusive or to compare the merits of the two women."
While it is true that we must live our faith through concrete actions, faithfully carrying out our duties according to our state in life and vocation, it is essential that we do so only after meditating on the Word of God and listening to what the Holy Spirit is saying to our hearts," he said.
Christians "must make room for silence."
Therefore, Christians "must make space for silence" and prayer, away from noise and distractions, to "recollect ourselves before God in simplicity of heart," he said.
"Summer can be a providential time to experience the beauty and importance of our relationship with God, and how much it can help us to be more open and welcoming to others." "Let us make summer an opportunity to care for others, to get to know one another and to offer advice and to listen, because these are expressions of love, and that is something we all need," the Pope said.
"Promoting a culture of peace"
"Let us do so with courage," the Pope said, "So through solidarity and the sharing of faith and life, we will help to promote a culture of peace, helping those around us to overcome divisions and hostility and to build communion between individuals, peoples and religions."
"We need to take some time to rest."
The Pope arrived at the papal villas on July 6 for a two-week stay, and was scheduled to return to the Vatican on the evening of July 20. But after reciting the Angelus to those gathered in the main square of Castel Gandolfo, the Pope said he would return to Rome "in a few days," specifically on the evening of July 22.
In comments after the AngelusThe Pope reiterated: "We need to take time to rest and try to learn better the art of hospitality.
"To be a home open to all"
"The vacation industry wants to sell us all kinds of 'experiences,' but maybe not the ones we're really looking for," he said. "Every genuine encounter is free; you can't buy it, whether it's an encounter with God, with others or with nature."
The vocation of Christians and of the church, he said, is "to be a home open to all" and to welcome the Lord, "who knocks at our door and asks us for permission to enter."
—————–
Carol Glatz is a senior correspondent for Catholic News Service Rome.
This information is a translation of the original, published earlier by OSV News, which you can find at here y here.
