“Thanks to the Spirit, we can and must do this with his own power and gentleness,” he added.
Pope Francis underlined that this power is not arrogant, calculating, or imposing, but is “born of fidelity to the truth that the Spirit teaches us in our hearts.”
“Consequently, we do not give up, but tirelessly proclaim peace to those who desire war, forgiveness to those who seek revenge, welcome and solidarity to those who bar their doors and erect barriers, life to those who choose death, respect to those who love to humiliate, insult and reject, fidelity to those who would sever every bond, thereby confusing freedom with a bleak and empty individualism,” he said.
“Nor are we intimidated by hardship, derision or opposition, which, today as always, are never lacking in the apostolate.”
Pope Francis presided over the Mass the day after traveling to the northern Italian city of Verona. The 87-year-old pope was not the main celebrant but gave a shortened homily from a white chair at the front of the congregation to the right of the altar.
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