Cardinal Tagle: "The Pope’s visit, a blessing that invokes responsibility"

Manila – “The papal visit will surely bring much blessing to the Filipinos, especially to the poor, the survivors of recent natural and human-caused calamities, and the victims of injustices. The concern and solidarity of Jesus the Good Shepherd will be palpable in the person and in the presence of Pope Francis”: says the Archbishop of Manila, Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, in a note sent to Agenzia Fides after the publication of the program of the papal visit, who will be in Sri Lanka from January 13 to 15 and then in the Philippines until 19 January 2015.
Cardinal Tagle remarks: “The Pope’s visit draws all Christians to personal and social responsibility. As disciples of Jesus Christ driven by the Holy Spirit, we will be challenged to reach out with love to the neglected and abandoned, to help heal the wounds inflicted on children, women and families, to respect who differ from us, to form the youth in responsible freedom, to value life and creation, and to imbue our culture and society with mercy and compassion. With the Pope let us spread the Gospel of hope with joy”.
Since the visit to the Philippines will be on the theme “mercy and compassion”, the Archbishop calls the faithful to live these values which need to be “purified and strengthened by constantly listening to the Word of God, by frequently participating in the Eucharist”, reconciling with God and with others, doing acts of justice and love.