Pope Francis called for thanksgiving, repentance and peace this Christmas, who, as usual, spoke frankly to the members of his church when he received the cardinals and bishops working in the Vatican State on Thursday before the holidays, declaring, among other things, that the greatest danger for the members of the church is the "polite devil" , "who comes without making noise, with flowers in hand".
Pope Francis received representatives of almost three thousand ecclesiastical and secular workers at the Vatican. First, he gave a speech in the so-called blessing hall of the apostolic palaces at the curia, that is, to church members working in the Holy See's state secretariat and other prominent offices of the papal state.
It is the custom of Pope Francis to criticize, advise and encourage the members of his church at the same time as the festive wishes. This year, he emphasized that in the history of the church, a "turn" was often needed, and the need for it can also be experienced today. As an example, he mentioned the synodality process initiated in recent years, that is, the efforts made for collegial decision-making.
Pope Francis believed that the conviction that there is no need for a deeper understanding of the Gospel, as if its message takes the same form in every age, is opposed to the latter.
"However, the form must change in order to keep the essence always the same," he stated. Quoting St. Paul, he called it true heresy if the church's teaching does not fit the current language and living conditions.
"Conservation means keeping the message of Christ alive, not imprisoning it," said Pope Francis. He believed that the greatest danger for the members of the church was the "polite devil", "who comes without making any noise, with a flower in his hand".
Pope Francis also apologized to the members of his church for his often harsh-sounding opinions, "not because I don't believe in kindness and tenderness, but because it is better to reserve caresses for the suffering and the oppressed."
In his Christmas speech, he also addressed the topic of peace. He explained that there is a great desire for peace among people. He remembered the martyred Ukraine and the conflicts taking place in other parts of the world.
"War and violence are always a failure.
Religion should not fuel conflict. The gospel is always the gospel of peace, and no war can be made holy in the name of God," he emphasized.
He added that the culture of peace must be built not only in peoples and nations, but in every single heart.
He noted that not only weapons can lead to violence, but also verbal and mental violence, and abuse of power and even slander behind the other person's back have a similar effect, which can also be very painful and devastating.
"Let's lay down all weapons, let no one abuse their position and role to humiliate others," Pope Francis said.
Source and full article: Magyar Hírlap
Featured image: Fabio Frustaci/Vatican News
