Papal video message to peoples of Ecuador, Bolivia, and Paraguay

June 29, 2015

As Pope Francis’s apostolic journey to Ecuador, Bolivia, and Paraguay draws near, the Pontiff has spoken to the peoples of those nations in a video message.

“My wish is to be with you, to share your concerns, to express my affections and closeness, as well as rejoice with you too,” he said on June 27, about a week before the beginning of his ninth apostolic journey outside Italy, which will take place from July 5 to 13.

“I want to be a witness of this joy of the Gospel and bring to you the tenderness and caress of God, our Father, especially to your children most in need, to the elderly, the sick, the imprisoned, the poor, to those who are victims of this throwaway culture,” he continued. “The love of the merciful Father allows us beyond measure to discover the face of his Son Jesus in each brother, in each sister of ours, in the neighbor. One only needs to come close, to be a neighbor. As Jesus said to that young doctor of the law when he asked: Who is my neighbor? Go and do what the Good Samaritan did, go and do the same, be close, do not pass by.”

 

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Further information:

• Porterò la tenerezza e la carità di Dio (CTV)
• Video-messaggio di Papa Francesco alla vigilia del Viaggio Apostolico in Ecuador, Bolivia e Paraguay, 27.06.2015 (Holy See Press Office)
• Pope sends video-message to Ecuador, Bolivia and Paraguay (Vatican Radio)
• Apostolic Journey of the Holy Father to Ecuador, Bolivia and Paraguay (5-13 July 2015) (Holy See)