Pope Francis at the meeting with migrants (©Vatican Media/Catholic Press Photo)

The Pope in Malta and the "night of the war"

During his trip to the Mediterranean island Francis again spoke of the drama of the conflict in Ukraine and the refugees. From his speech to the Diplomatic Corps to an interview on his return, here are the Pope's words...

" [...] Finally, there is the wind coming from the east , which often blows at dawn, which is why Homer called it “Eurus” (Odyssey, V, 349.423). Yet from the east of Europe, from the land of sunrise, the dark shadows of war have now spread. We had thought that invasions of other countries, savage street fighting and atomic threats were grim memories of a distant past. However, the icy winds of war, which bring only death, destruction and hatred in their wake, have swept down powerfully upon the lives of many people and affected us all. Once again, some potentate, sadly caught up in anachronistic claims of nationalist interests, is provoking and fomenting conflicts, whereas ordinary people sense the need to build a future that, will either shared, or not be at all. Now in the night of the war that is fallen upon humanity, please, let us not allow the dream of peace to fade!" (from the Address to the authorities and diplomatic corps)

Homily during Mass at Floriana

Interview on the plane journey back (from Vatican News)


Prayer Meeting in Gozo