Pope Francis died this morning. I want to share a brief quote from his final Urbi et Orbi address, delivered yesterday.
“How much contempt is stirred up at times towards the vulnerable, the marginalized, and migrants! . . .
I appeal to all those in positions of political responsibility in our world not to yield to the logic of fear which only leads to isolation from others, but rather to use the resources available to help the needy, to fight hunger and to encourage initiatives that promote development. These are the ‘weapons’ of peace: weapons that build the future, instead of sowing seeds of death!” [1]
He was appealing to those in positions of political responsibility, but the appeal to take up the “‘weapons’ of peace” is one that we should work out in our own daily lives as well.
[1] Pope Francis, “Urbi et Orbi” – Easter 2025, April 20, 2025, Link.