Pope Francis asks for prayers for Indonesia after deadly tsunami

December 23, 2018 CNA Daily News News Briefs 2 Print

Vatican City, Dec 23, 2018 / 05:47 am (CNA/EWTN News).- After a deadly tsunami struck Indonesia Saturday night, killing more than 200 people and injuring hundreds more, Pope Francis has asked for everyone to join him in prayer for the suffering victims this Christmas.

“My thoughts go out right now to the populations of Indonesia, affected by violent natural disasters, which have caused serious losses in human lives, numerous people missing and homeless, and extensive material damage,” Pope Francis said after his Angelus prayer Dec. 23.

“I invite everyone to join me in prayer for the victims and their loved ones,” he said, calling for solidarity and support from the international community.

The tsunami left at least 222 people dead and more than 840 injured, according to Sutopo Purwo Nugroho from Indonesia’s disaster management agency.

Researchers suspect the destructive waves were triggered by a volcanic eruption in the Sunda Strait between two Indonesian islands.

Pope Francis expressed his wish to be “spiritually close” to the displaced and “to all the people who are imploring God for relief in their suffering.”

The pope reflected on the importance of families being together at Christmas, but said he understood that “many people do not have this possibility, for different reasons.”

To people apart from their families at Christmas, Pope Francis extended an invitation to find a “true family” in the Catholic Church.

“Our heavenly Father does not forget you and does not abandon you. If you are a Christian, I wish you to find in the Church a true family, where you can experience the warmth of fraternal love,” he said.

Francis stressed that the doors of the Catholic community are open to Christians and non-Christians alike this Christmas. “Jesus is born for everyone and gives everyone the love of God,” he said.

The pope encouraged people preparing for Christmas to fix their gaze on Mary, who spent her months of waiting for Christ’s coming in service to her elderly relative, Elizabeth.

“The Gospel of Mary’s visit to Elizabeth prepares us to live Christmas well, communicating to us the dynamism of faith and charity,” Pope Francis said.

“A dynamism full of joy, as seen in the meeting between the two mothers, which is all a hymn of joyous exultation in the Lord, who does great things with the little ones who trust Him,” he continued.

May the Virgin Mary obtain for us the grace of living a Christmas centered, not on ourselves, but on Jesus and our brothers and sisters in need, Pope Francis prayed.

If you value the news and views Catholic World Report provides, please consider donating to support our efforts. Your contribution will help us continue to make CWR available to all readers worldwide for free, without a subscription. Thank you for your generosity!

Click here for more information on donating to CWR. Click here to sign up for our newsletter.

Related Articles

No Picture
News Briefs

A synod summary from the Polish synod fathers – Oct 5

October 5, 2018 CNA Daily News 0

Vatican City, Oct 5, 2018 / 11:01 am (CNA).-  
The synod of bishops on young people, the faith, and vocational discernment is being held at the Vatican Oct. 3-28.

CNA plans to provide a brief daily summary of the sessions, provided by the synodal fathers from Poland.

Please find below the Polish fathers’ summary of the Oct. 5 session:

Preparation for life in marriage, the father’s role in the family, young immigrants, and the testimony of the life of young people are the topics on the synod’s second day, during which representatives of different countries and continents spoke, exchanging their experiences.

Some of the young people evoked life in broken families. “Therefore, attention was paid to preparing for marriage, for example, pre-marital catecheses that exist in Poland. These catecheses should take into consideration the cultural context because the number of marriages of people from different cultures and religions is increasing,” said Auxiliary Bishop Marian Florczyk of Kielce.

“During the discussion, the opinion was also expressed that the man’s role has been lost. In the past, a man grew to be a father, to fulfill his tasks. The father’s example most strongly draws children to the faith, observed one of the speakers,” Bishop Florczyk emphasized.

Another topic was the issue of immigrants, in a broad sense. “If the Church herself in Europe is struggling with problems, what help should be given to the newcomers?” Attention was paid to the condition of immigrants and of those who receive them. “The religious condition of the latter is unfortunately poor,” said Bishop Florczyk.

Attention was also paid to young people evangelizing their peers through the example of their lives. “The point is for young believers to lead other young people to Jesus Christ because He is the one who shapes their life. The Church is, indeed, a community that characterizes itself by faith in Jesus Christ, that lives by this faith,” highlighted Bishop Florczyk.

“The issues raised show, on the one hand, all the wealth and opportunities, such as good liturgy, but also threats, such as sects that exist in some countries,” said Auxiliary Bishop Marek Solarczyk of Warszawa-Praga.

The discussions also focused on the impact of social media on the lives of young people.

[…]

2 Trackbacks / Pingbacks

  1. Pope Francis asks for prayers for Indonesia after deadly tsunami - Mama Mary
  2. Pope Francis asks for prayers for Indonesia after deadly tsunami -

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

All comments posted at Catholic World Report are moderated. While vigorous debate is welcome and encouraged, please note that in the interest of maintaining a civilized and helpful level of discussion, comments containing obscene language or personal attacks—or those that are deemed by the editors to be needlessly combative or inflammatory—will not be published. Thank you.


*