In an interview with the American channel CBS, the Pope calls for an end to the wars in Ukraine, Gaza and throughout the world. He reminds us that in the Church, there is room for everyone: “if a priest does not seem welcoming,” he says, “look elsewhere, there is always a place, do not flee the Church, it is tall”.
Vatican News
“A negotiated peace is better than endless war”: this is what Pope Francis declared, thinking of Ukraine, Gaza and the wars that are shaking the world, in a television interview given to the American channel CBS, Wednesday afternoon at the Sainte Marthe Residence at the Vatican. Excerpts of the interview, which lasted about an hour, conducted by Norah O’Donnell, director of “Cbs Evening News”, were broadcast overnight. A more extensive version of the discussions will be broadcast on Sunday May 19, one week before World Children’s Day which will be held in Rome on May 25 and 26.
In the extract released last night, the Supreme Pontiff called on all warring countries to end the conflicts: “Try to negotiate. Seek peace”he once again insisted, adding that he prayed “a lot” for a ceasefire in Gaza, and that he called the only Catholic parish in the Gaza Strip every evening at 7 p.m. for news. The situation “is very hard, very hard”, he said, especially because people have to fight for food.
“These children don’t know how to smile”
Asked about the consequences of the Russian invasion in Ukraine on children, the Bishop of Rome regretted that “these children don’t know how to smile“. “I tell them something, he continued, but they forgot to smile. And when a child forgets to smile, it’s very serious.”
During the interview, the Holy Father also spoke about climate change, which “exist“, and World Children’s Day, May 25 and 26 in Rome affirming that little ones have “always a message” to wear. They offer “a way to have a younger heart”. Answering about his health, François replied with a smile: “I’m doing well”.
Finally, the Successor of Peter reiterated that there is room for everyone in the Church: “If in a parish the priest does not seem welcoming, I understand, but look elsewhere, there is always a place, always. Don’t run away from the Church. The Church is very big. It’s more than a temple… you shouldn’t run away from it.
