Pope Benedict XVI Blog

Pope remembers victims of the Holocaust and those who risked their lives to defend Jews

» 01/27/2010 13:19
VATICAN

In his General Audience Benedict XVI illustrated the figure of St. Francis, an icon of Christ, a model of dialogue with Muslims, who acted in union with the Church. "The sense of universal brotherhood and love of creation." Even peace building is linked to respect for nature.

Vatican City (AsiaNews) – Today, Holocaust Memorial Day, we remember "the horror of crimes of unprecedented cruelty, committed in the extermination camps established by Nazi Germany," especially the planned annihilation of the Jews "and also how many" risked their lives, to protect the persecuted, opposing the murderous folly. " The "innumerable victims of blind racial and religious, hatred who suffered deportation, imprisonment, death in those aberrant and inhuman places " were remembered today by Benedict XVI who prayed that "the memory of these facts, particularly the tragedy of the Holocaust that affected the Jewish people, will inspire an increasingly convinced respect for the dignity of every person, that all men perceive themselves to be one great family. Almighty God enlighten hearts and minds, so that such tragedies never happen again. "

In remembering the Holocaust the Pope concluded his general audience today, during which he highlighted the life and legacy of St. Francis, a "giant of holiness," "truly living icon of Christ," who "continues to fascinate people of faith and those without" and who still today is an example of how dialogue with Muslims should be conducted, "in truth, in mutual respect and mutual understanding. Not only, St Francis is also " a model for priests and the precursor of just love for Creation”.

Francis, recalled Benedict XVI, was born in 1181 in Assisi, to a rich family. He enjoyed a "light-hearted adolescence and youth, spent nurturing the chivalrous ideals of time" and he also took part in a war. His capture by the enemy was the beginning of a "slow process of spiritual renewal " that led him to abandon his previous life. Recalling in particular the episode of the crucifix in the church of Saint Damien which spoke to him three times, saying, 'Go and repair my house which, as you see, is in ruins ", Benedict XVI spoke of "deep symbolism. Initially Francis was called to repair that little church, a dramatic symbol of the state of the Church of the thirteenth century which did not believe and did not form life”. The inner destruction of the Church was also the unity destroyed by heretical movements. However in that ruined church the crucifix stands in the middle, saying to Francis "renew the Church of Christ with his radical faith and his love for the Gospel."
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See also:

From Catholic Culture, "Pope offers St. Francis as model for spiritual renewal"

From CNA, "Pope holds up St. Francis as model for Christian-Muslim dialogue" and "Pope Benedict remembers Holocaust victims"

From Catholic News Service, "St. Francis is model of dialogue, respect for creation, pope says"

And from YouTube-Vatican's Channel:

"St. Francis: Innovator with and not against the Pope"
January 27, 2010



Pope: Remember the Shoah and respect every person
January 27, 2010

posted by Dr. Denice Hanley, DPM, M.Div. @ 3:58 PM