Holy Father Pope Francis made a day-long visit to the southern Italian island of Sicily, where he first stopped at the town of Piazza Armerina and then proceeded to the Sicilian capital Palermo, to mark 25 years of the martyrdom of Don (Father) Pino Pugliesi by the Mafia. Addressing the faithful of Piazza Armerina Diocese, Pope Francis acknowledged the many problems and wounds that afflict them such as social and cultural underdevelopment, exploitation of workers and lack of decent employment for young people, migration of entire families, usury, alcoholism and other addictions, gambling and fraying family ties.
As reported by Vatican news, “In the face of so much suffering,” the Pontiff urged them to build an ecclesial community that is “lively and prophetic, while seeking new ways of proclaiming and offering mercy above all to those brothers and sisters who have fallen into disaffection, distrust, and a crisis of faith.” The word of God and synodal communion, the Pope said, are the Church’s hands that reach out to those who feel defeated in body and spirit, or are relegated to the margins. He underscored the Word of God as the essential centre of Christian communion, and not to anything else before it. His Holiness Pope Francis pointed out that the Church’s missionary charity also dedicates special attention to young people and their problems. The Holy Father encouraged his young listeners “to be joyful architects” of their destiny, assuring them that Jesus is a sincere and faithful friend.
In conclusion , the Holy Father gratefully recalled the martyred priest, Don Pino Puglisi, who visited Piazza Armerina a month before his assassination 25 years ago to meet his seminarian students. The Pope described the visit as a “prophetic passage”, a legacy not just to priests but also to all the faithful of the diocese, that of serving the brothers and siters to the end, for the love of Jesus.
