His Holiness Pope Francis dedicated the reflection of this week’s General Audience to his apostolic journey to the Baltic nations, September 22-25. He said he visited Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia, on the occasion of the centenary of their independence. They lived half of the 100 years under the yoke of occupations, first under the Nazis and then under Soviet rule.
As reported by Vatican news, Holy Father Pope Francis expressed his gratitude to the presidents and civil authorities of the three nations or the welcome given him. He also thanked the bishops and all those who have helped to prepare and implement the ecclesial event. The Pontiff noted that his visit took place in a context that has greatly changed since the visit of his predecessor 25 years ago, soon after the 3 countries regained their independence from soviet rule. Hence his mission was to proclaim once again to those peoples the joy of the Gospel and the revolution of mercy, of tenderness, because freedom is not enough to give meaning and fullness to life without the love that comes from God.
The Pontiff noted that in Lithuania, Catholics are the majority,in Estonia Lutherans and Orthodox prevail, but many have moved away from religious life. So the challenge is to strengthen the communion among all Christians which already developed during the harsh period of persecution. Holy Father Pope Francis also encouraged dialogue between the elderly and young generations so that their contact with their “roots” continues to enrich the present and the future. He also urged them to always combine freedom with solidarity and welcome, according to the tradition of their lands.
