Vatican
City, 19 March 2013 (VIS) – The thousands of people who spent a
sleepless night in the main square of Buenos Aires, Plaza de Mayo, to
watch the Mass inaugurating former Archbishop Jorge Mario Bergoglio's
Petrine ministry had a pleasant surprise. At 7:32am Rome time—that
is, 3:32am in Argentina—the speakers placed outside the cathedral
in the square began to carry the voice of Pope Francis. He was
calling, from the Vatican, to greet them.
As
reported by the Argentine newspaper, Clarin, the Pope had called the
cell phone of one of his aides, Fr. Alejandro Russo, rector of the
cathedral. From the archdiocesan television centre they were then
able to connect the call to Plaza de Mayo, so that the pontiff might
say hello to his parishioners. Shortly afterwards, the rector
announced that he had a special surprise and those gathered began to
hear Francis' voice. “Dear sons and daughters, I know you have
gathered in the square. I know that you are saying prayers, I need
them very much. It is beautiful to pray because we look to heaven and
know that we have a good Father who is God.”
A
huge wave of applause greeted the Pope's words and he continued: “I
want to ask a favour of you. I want to ask for us to walk together,
to care for one another, for you to care for each other. Do not cause
harm. Protect life. Protect the family; protect nature; protect the
young; protect the elderly. Let there not be hatred or fighting. Put
aside envy.” And, in the city's slang, he added: “No le saquen el
cuero a nadie [literally, “don't flay or skin anyone alive”, that
is, don't gossip, don't criticize one another]. Talk with one another
so that this desire to protect each other might grow in your hearts.
And draw near to God. God is good. He always forgives and
understands. Do not be afraid of him. Draw near to him and may the
Virgin bless you. May she, as a mother, protect you. Please do not
forget this bishop who is far away but who loves you very much. Pray
for me!”
“Through
the intercession of Mary, ever Virgin, and each of your guardian
angels, the glorious patriarch St. Joseph, St. Therese of the Child
Jesus, and each of your protector saints, may God All-mighty, Father,
Son, and Holy Spirit, bless you,” Francis concluded, imparting the
papal blessing to all present before closing the connection.
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