Pope Francis’ address to the United Nations this morning was an invitation to us all to change the way in which we see this world.
Maritza Sanchez, national director of Caritas Cuba, reflects on what Pope Francis's visit to the island means for the faithful.
Caritas is the living Word of God in the poor communities of the world. It is a free-flowing river of love and hope which nourishes and has an enormous natural power to bring about change.
By serving the poor we serve our Master. We deliver a message of hope, just like Pope Francis will do with his encyclical and has been doing ever since his election. In this way, we are truly Caritas.
If Msgr Romero were still here, he would remind us of our daily commitment to be faithful to the Gospel and to respond to injustices.
"Msgr Romero's contribution has enabled Caritas to become today what Pope Francis called: 'the caress of the Church to its people'.
In the 1970s, CAFOD (Caritas member in England and Wales) supported Romero’s famous radio broadcasts, which – at a time when the press was heavily censored – were often the only means by which people in El Salvador knew the truth about the atrocities occurring in their country.
"Shaking someone's hand, looking into their eyes, offering a friendly presence, saving a person from loneliness--these should be the concern of Caritas," said Cardinal Pietro Parolin during a homily at a Mass for Caritas clergy and staff.
Lent is a time in which we are called back on our path to follow Christ. It is a time when we are called to renewal and when we are invited to reaffirm our relationship with brothers and sisters as one human family.
Pope Francis reminds us that Lent is an invitation to renewal for the Church and among the faithful. To be able to respond to this invitation, Pope Francis warns us against the ‘globalisation of indifference’.
Caritas organisations around the world live and breathe the words of Pope Francis' message for peace.