In his homily at Mass in the Italian city of Palermo, His Holiness Pope Francis contrasts belief in God with mafia membership, saying true victory comes from the loving gift of self. “You cannot believe in God and be a member of the mafia. Those belonging to the mafia are not living as Christians, because with their life they blaspheme the name of God who is love.” the Pontiff declared.
As reported by Vatican news, Holy Father Pope Francis remarked that “Christians do not hate life but love and defend it, since it is God’s first gift! What brings defeat is love of one’s own life, to love one’s own life. Those who live for themselves lose. He said advertising hammers into us the idea that those who live for themselves and multiply their income are victorious in life.”
His Holiness Pope Francis concluded his homily by highlighting “Today we need men and women of love, not of honor; men and women who serve, not who oppress; men and women who walk together, who do not run after power.” The Pontiff invited Mafiosi to convert to the true God of Jesus Christ. “Change yourselves! Stop thinking of yourselves and your money,” he said.
