Pope Francis: audience appeals for children, religious
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis made a pair of appeals on Wednesday: one for the World Day of the Rights of the Child, to be marked this coming Friday, November 20th; the other, for the upcoming Feast of the Presentation of Our Lady, November 21st, on which the Church offers special thanks for all the men and women, who have answered the Lord’s call to serve him in monastic, cloistered, and contemplative life.
Speaking of the UN-sponsored World Day for the Rights of the Child, sometimes styled Universal Children’s Day, Pope Francis said, “It is everyone’s duty to protect children,” especially from abuse in all its forms, particularly the shackles of slavery and the brutality of forced military service. “I hope the international community shall be vigilant over the living conditions of children, especially where they are exposed to recruitment by armed groups; I also hope the international community will help families ensure every child the right to schooling and a wholesome upbringing.”
Addressing the upcoming Feast of the Presentation, Pope Francis said, “On this occasion, we thank the Lord for the gift of the vocation of men and women who, in monasteries and hermitages, have dedicated their lives to God.” He went on to say, “Let us not be remiss in our duty of spiritual and material closeness to them, in order that cloistered communities might be able to fulfill their important mission of prayer and silent work.