(Vatican Radio) The family is a ‘domestic Church’ where we learn to love and serve others, to show gratitude not greed, and to ask forgiveness when we have caused harm. That was the theme Pope Francis’ homily at Mass in Ecuador’s main commercial city of Guayaquil, located on the Pacific coast of the South American…
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Pope Francis arrived in Ecuador’s capital Quito on Sunday 5th of July. It marked a homecoming for this Argentinian Pontiff who’s currently on the first leg of an Apostolic Journey to Latin America which also takes him to two other nations Bolivia and Paraguay.
On his first full day in Ecuador Pope Francis flew to Guayaquil, the nation’s major port city with stunning views over the Pacific Ocean. The city lies roughly 265 kilometres from Quito.
Veronica Scarisbrick reports :
It was to the cries of welcome ‘Francisco, Francisco’ that upon his arrival in Guayaquil a beaming Pope Francis stopped by at the National Shrine of Divine Mercy.The atmosphere was warm and joyful and there was singing. And there were dancers in the local blue and white traditional costumes at this modern designer building which can hold up to 2.300 faithful and has in its grounds, lodging facilities for priests, an old age home and areas dedicated to recreation, catechesis and evangelisation. And of course there was prayer…
Guayaquil has an overwhelming Catholic population and takes its name from the Indios chief “Guayas” and his wife” Quil”. Legendary heroes who may have led the indigenous resistance from the Spanish ‘Conquistadores’ but whose descendants have nevertheless kept the faith implanted there by the Spaniards.
Fitting then that the Holy Mass which will be presided over by Pope Francis shortly after the visit to the National Shrine, in this city which takes its name from a couple, should be dedicated to the family. And families were numerous among the thousands who filled up the venue for the mass, already up to eight hours before the celebration. A mass scheduled at a park by the name of ‘Los Samanes de Guayaquil’.
Fitting too that this Pope who belongs to the Society of Jesus plans to fleetingly visit the Jesuit College there following Holy Mass. Let’s recall for a moment the special evangelising mission the Jesuits have played throughout Latin America and their role in helping the indigenous people to safeguard their rights and culture in the face of the Spanish oppressor of the time.
But the pope’s first full day in Ecuador doesn’t end here. He returns to Quito in time for tea, ‘mate’ the local drink perhaps is a better word, for another two major appointments: a courtesy visit to the nation’s President Mr Rafael Correa, and a visit to the City’s Cathedral where he’ll address the faithful gathered in the Square outside.
(from Vatican Radio)…
(Vatican Radio) As Pope Francis’ apostolic journey to Latin America begins to unfold, the week-long programme that takes the Pope from Ecuador to Bolivia to Paraguay will offer countless occasions for information, reflection, inspiration.
Meanwhile we look ahead, speaking to people on the ground and to others who have been to the places the Pope is scheduled to visit.
Like Monsignor Peter Fleetwood, a priest from the Liverpool Archdiocese who has travelled extensively in Latin America and who says the Pope’s respect and regard for the poor and the marginalized and his desire to be with “real people” is an enormously important aspect of his message and his pontificate as well as being a central theme of this journey …
Listen :
Remembering his own journey to Paraguay in the 1990s, Monsignor Fleetwood recounts a series of experiences in a nation that he describes as having a “popular, or democratic culture”.
“They’re not very impressed by people waving money around: they just like ordinariness, being down to earth – I think that’s a lot of what Pope Francis likes to bring with him as a Latin American to wherever he goes” he says.
Commenting on the fact that the Pope has chosen to travel to Latin America starting with the “peripheries” (as the three nations he is visiting are amongst the poorest), Monsignor Fleetwood points out that “where he goes, people who have previously felt ‘nobody in his position has ever spoken to me before’, suddenly think: ‘I matter to that man, my family matters, my country matters’”.
Although these people may feel they are not very significant in the global picture, Mons. Fleetwood says, the Pope makes them feel they do matter because they are children of God.
He is saying to the people who await him: “You are never forgotten, you are always remembered, you may not see your name in lights when it comes to the rich countries of the world, but as far as the Pope’s concerned: you are there and you are in my prayers.”
“It means a lot if you are living far from the so-called center of things if the man in charge turns left on the way into town and goes to a little shanty town and says he wants to meet the real people – good for him!” Mons. Fleetwood says.
(from Vatican Radio)…
(Vatican Radio) As Pope Francis’ apostolic journey to Latin America begins to unfold, the week-long programme that takes the Pope from Ecuador to Bolivia to Paraguay will offer countless occasions for information, reflection, inspiration. Meanwhile we look ahead, speaking to people on the ground and to others who have been to the places the Pope…
Read more
(Vatican Radio) As Pope Francis’ apostolic journey to Latin America begins to unfold, the week-long programme that takes the Pope from Ecuador to Bolivia to Paraguay will offer countless occasions for information, reflection, inspiration. Meanwhile we look ahead, speaking to people on the ground and to others who have been to the places the Pope…
Read more