Pope Francis on Thursday
called for unity and communion instead of finger-pointing and
isolationism.
Speaking during a Mass marking the 1050th anniversary of
Poland's baptism, the pontiff urged the faithful to imitate the
Virgin Mary and to "avoid grumbling and hasty decision-making".
He said Mary is a mother who "wants to safeguard us all
together. The path of your people has overcome many difficult
moments through unity".
The Virgin "instills the desire to go beyond past
wrongdoings and wounds and to create communion for everyone,
without ever giving in to the temptation to isolate ourselves or
to impose ourselves on others".
Francis spoke in Poland on the occasion of the Catholic
Church's World Youth Day festival, which runs through July 31.
Italy is present there with 486 groups and a total of
76,883 pilgrims, including almost 60,000 youth.
The event being held in the second-largest Polish city of
Krakow is also being attended by 844 bishops and 47 cardinals
from 107 countries.
The host country has the largest representation with
172,316 pilgrims and 720 groups. Around 2,000 pilgrims with
disabilities are also at WYD.
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