Pope celebrates his birthday with young Catholics involved in project to welcome migrants
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis received Birthday Wishes and a celebratory cake on Thursday as he greeted members of the Italian “Azione Cattolica” movement thanking them for their commitment to welcome migrants.
It was a special morning in the Vatican as a large group of children and young people who belong to the non-political lay organization sang “Happy Birthday” to the Pope as he received them for the annual Christmas audience on the day that marks his 79th birthday.
Listen to the report by Linda Bordoni:
In a festive atmosphere, the Pope commended them for their desire to live the Gospel to the full, and for their mission to involve family members, parishes and communities in an actively Christian life.
He said that by participating actively in the Mass and in Catechism, they become like missionaries and are able to bring Jesus to others.
The Pope complimented them on the motto of their formative programme for the current year which is “Journeying towards You” and said that to “journey towards the Lord means to take the good road – not the evil one; it means to put oneself on the road of forgiveness, of peace, of solidarity”.
“In this regard – he said – your initiative in favour of Migrants in the Agrigento diocese is a very good one.”
And he invoked the Lord’s blessing for the project which – he said – aims to give and exemplary welcome to “so many brothers and sisters or ours who arrive full of hope, but are also wounded and in desperate need of so much, including peace and bread”.
With your enthusiasm and your prayers – the Pope said – you can make a special contribution; and he encouraged them to also share their belongings with other young people who have none.
Pope Francis concluded with a special greeting to some of the leaders of “Azione Cattolica” who were present at the audience and thanked them for the commitment they show imparting a Christian education.
And he invoked the Lord’s blessing for the project which – he said – aims to give and exemplary welcome to “so many brothers and sisters or ours who arrive full of hope, but are also wounded and in desperate need of so much, including peace and bread”.
With your enthusiasm and your prayers – the Pope said – you can make a special contribution; and he encouraged them to also share their belongings with other young people who have none.
Pope Francis concluded with a special greeting to some of the leaders of “Azione Cattolica” who were present at the audience and thanked them for the commitment they show imparting a Christian education.