Pope Francis has called for an end to the „culture of death“ and the bloody conflicts in many regions of the world. „The historic events of the First World War are a serious warning to all,“ said Francis on Sunday.
As a reminder of the end of the First World War on November 11, 1918, the bells of St. Peter’s at 13.30 clock, a Vatican spokeswoman confirmed.
Pope Angelus prayer
Pope Francis has called for an end to the „culture of death“ and the bloody conflicts in many regions of the world
The Pope recalled his predecessor Benedict XV, who led the Catholic Church from 1914 to 1922, calling the First World War a „useless massacre“. Even the grandfather of the 81-year-old pope from Argentina, the son of Italian immigrants, fought in the First World War.
Memory of Saint Martin
The Pope also remembered St. Martin, whose day is celebrated on November 11th. Martin had cut his cloak to give half to a beggar. He also refused military service and became a monk.
No accounting of good deeds
Christians are not allowed to be guided by calculation in good works according to the words of the pope. In his midday prayer, he warned against „gestures of selflessness“.
God’s balance sheets were different from those of man: „He measures not the quantity, but the quality, checks the heart and looks at the purity of the intentions,“ says the Pope in St. Peter’s Square. Even with prayer and charity one must keep away from „ritualism and formalism“.
