Pope Francis said this while meeting priests and consecrated persons in the Basilica of San Zeno, during his visit to Verona. “Do not give in to discouragement – he encouraged them –: be bold in the mission, still know how to be a Church today that is close, that approaches the crossroads of the streets, that heals wounds, that bears witness to the mercy of God. It is in this so that the boat of the Lord, in the midst of the storms of the world, can bring to safety many who otherwise risk shipwreck”.
Turning his gaze to the “storms” that “are not lacking in our days”, the Pope reiterated that “many of them have their roots in avarice, in greed, in the unbridled search to satisfy one’s self, and are nourished in a individualistic, indifferent and violent culture”. And he warned against the risk that “evil becomes ‘normal’, that we get used to it. And so we become accomplices!”. “Evil is not normal, it cannot be normal,” he added, speaking off the cuff. Then, he recalled “the task of accepting the call and being bold in the mission”.
Finally, the wish for a “capable holiness”, “a living faith that with bold charity sows the Kingdom of God in every situation of daily life”. “And if Shakespeare’s genius was inspired by the beauty of this place to tell us the tormented stories of two lovers, hindered by the hatred of their respective families, we Christians, inspired by the Gospel, commit ourselves to sowing everywhere a love stronger than hatred and death. Sow a love stronger than hate and death, today there is so much hate in the world. Dream of it like this, Verona, as the city of love. And may the love of God accompany you and bless you.”
