Scottish Catholic Observer

Pope Francis used his general audience address today to call for the promotion of peace from the laity and humble understanding from priests and bishops.

Speaking to the crowds assembled in St Peter’s Square, the Holy Father addressed Mexican pilgrims on the disappearance of 43 student protesters in September. The students were detained following clashes with police, and it has been alleged they were handed over to gangs and murdered.

“I want to somehow express to Mexicans present here, and also to those in Mexico, my closeness during this painful time, in light of the legal disappearance of students, who were assassinated,” the Pope said. “It’s here that the dramatic reality of criminality becomes visible. It lies behind the sale and business of drug trafficking. I’m with you and your families.”

The Holy Father then addressed Chilean soldiers and spoke about the 30th anniversary of the signing of a peace treaty between Chile and Argentina.

“Only when the will for dialogue exists, things are resolved,” he said adding that people locked in conflict should ‘make a commitment to resolve their issues at the table of dialogue and not through the cruelty of war.’

With conflict still engulfing parts of the Middle East, the Pope again turned to the persecution of Christians, saying he felt ‘deep spiritual closeness to Christian communities who are harshly persecuted with an absurd violence that does not give signs of abating,’ and calling for all persons of goodwill to act on their behalf.

In his catechesis, he then considered the qualities of ministers of Christ, recalling St Paul listing ‘such human qualities as kindness, gentleness, patience, prudence and attentive concern for others.’

“These gifts too are required for the exercise of spiritual leadership,” the Pope said, adding that no bishop, priest or deacon must assume an authoritarian attitude, or behave as if his community were his own property or personal reign.

“A bishop, priest or deacon must never assume that he knows all, always has the right answer and never has to ask for help… he must always be humble and understanding towards others, he must listen to his people and be aware that he always has something to learn, even from those who may still be far from faith and from the Church,” Pope Francis added.

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