Pope encourages Sweden’s Catholics to be salt and light, remember Virgin Mary’s love

November 02, 2016

At the conclusion of his November 1 Mass in Swedbank Stadium in Malmö, Sweden, Pope Francis led the faithful in the recitation of the Angelus.

“As Catholics, we are part of a great family and are sustained in the same communion,” he said in Spanish before praying the Angelus. “I encourage you to express your faith in prayer, in the sacraments, and in generous service to those who are suffering and in need.”

“I urge you to be salt and light, wherever you find yourselves, through the way you live and act as followers of Jesus, and to show great respect and solidarity with our brothers and sisters of other churches and Christian communities, and with all people of good will,” he continued.

The Pope added:

In our life, we are not alone; we have the constant help and companionship of the Virgin Mary. Today she stands before us as first among the saints, the first disciple of the Lord. We flee to her protection and to her we present our sorrows and our joys, our fears and our aspirations. We put everything under her protection, in the sure knowledge that she watches over us and cares for us with a mother’s love.

 

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Further information:

• Viaggio Apostolico di Sua Santità Francesco in Svezia in occasione della Commemorazione Comune luterano-cattolica della Riforma (31 ottobre – 1 novembre 2016) – Recita dell’Angelus allo Swedbank Stadion di Malmö, 01.11.2016 (Holy See Press Office)