?The sun and the moon

It was a multitude, certainly several
hundred thousand people at least, lining the streets of Quito to cheer their
welcome, amid a shower of flower petals, to Pope Francis on his return to Latin
America. This trip, which after WYD in Rio de Janeiro — an appointment which
had been fixed by his predecessor — is Bergoglio’s first choice in America,
where he will visit Ecuador, Bolivia and Paraguay.

Immediately upon arriving, after a long flight, the Pope was welcomed at
the airport by Ecuador’s President Rafael Correa with a moving speech where he
calls their guest a “moral giant” for the international scene and expressed
several points in which their concerns
converged. The Pope then added emphasis to that “consonance”, who presented
himself as a witness of God’s mercy and of faith in Jesus Christ.

In
the Gospel — Bergoglio said — one can find the key to meeting contemporary
challenges: respecting differences and fostering dialogue. With particular concern for the most
vulnerable of our brothers and sisters, to fragile minorities, who are the
“debt still outstanding in Latin America”, he added. And in these efforts, he
said addressing the President, “you can always count on the commitment and cooperation
of the Church to serve the Ecuadorian people who move forward with great
dignity”.

In the Andes which span the country peak of
Chimborazo, geographically located “closest to the sun” and the moon, the Pope
recalled. And as his predecessor had done before him, Pope Francis observed:
“We Christians identify Christ with the sun, and the moon with the Church”. As
the moon does not have its own light but is illuminated by the by the Sun, so
is the Church by Christ. And if she moves away or hides from Him, “she will be
in darkness and no longer able to offer witness”, he warned.

Thus, in order to be a reflection of the light
and love of the Lord, the Pope concluded, the people of Ecuador must “never
lose the ability to thank God for what he has done and is doing”. He continued:
“May you never lose the ability to protect what is small and simple, to care
for your children and for your elderly, who are the living memory of your
people, to have confidence in the young, and to be constantly struck by the nobility
of your people and the singular beauty of your country”, which, “according to
the president, is nothing short of paradise”. This last line, he added,
alluding to the need to protect it.

G.M.V.