By Junno Arocho Esteves
KRAKOW,
Poland (CNS) — Humankind’s cruelty did not end with the Holocaust, but rages
on in the suffering of those living through war, homelessness and persecution,
Pope Francis said.
“This
cruelty exists today. We say: ‘Yes, we have seen cruelty, 70 years ago; how
they died shot, hanged or gassed.’ But today, in so many places in the world
where there is war, the same thing happens,” the pope told a crowd
gathered late July 29 outside the archbishop’s residence in Krakow where he is
staying.
The pope’s
words came at the end of a day focused on the suffering of innocents. He had
begun the day with a silent prayer at the Auschwitz-Birkenau Nazi death camp in Oswiecim, followed by a visit to a local children’s
hospital and participation in the Way of the Cross with young people at Blonia
Park.
Calling it
“a day of sorrow,” the pope said that in following the Way of the
Cross, Christians were united in Jesus’ sufferings.
However, Christ
not only “suffered 2,000 years ago,” but continues to suffer in
today’s world.
“So
many people suffer: the sick, those who are in war, the homeless, the hungry,
those who are doubtful in life, who do not feel happiness, salvation or who
feel the weight of their own sin,” he said.
Before
unspeakable horrors and suffering — especially the pain of children who suffer
— Christians may ask themselves why it happens, he continued.
“There
are no answers for that question,” the pope said.
The pope
also said his visit to Auschwitz-Birkeneau was a reminder of “such pain,
such cruelty” that human beings are capable of inflicting.
“Is it
possible that we men and women, created in God’s likeness, are capable of doing
these things? These things were done. I do not want to make you bitter, but I
have to say the truth. Cruelty did not end in Auschwitz, in Birkeneau. Even
today, people are tortured; so many prisoners are tortured to make them talk.
It is terrible!” he exclaimed.
“What
I am telling you is a bit sad, but it is reality. But the fact that Jesus has
taken upon himself all these things is also a reality,” the pope said.
Jesus loves
everyone despite their sins, he concluded, inviting the
young people to pray together for those who suffer from “so many bad
things, so much wickedness.”
“When
there are tears, a child seeks out his or her mother. We sinners, too, are
children; let us look for our mother and pray to Our Lady together,” he
said.
– – –
Follow Arocho on Twitter: @arochoju.
– – –
Copyright © 2016 Catholic News Service/U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. www.catholicnews.com. All rights reserved. Republishing or redistributing of CNS content, including by framing or similar means without prior permission, is prohibited. You may link to stories on our public site. This copy is for your personal, non-commercial use only. To request permission for republishing or redistributing of CNS content, please contact permissions at cns@catholicnews.com.
