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On the eve of the feast of Saint Francis, the Pontiff goes in the afternoon to the city of Umbria, where he will sign the encyclical “All Brothers” at the saint’s tomb. Father Mauro Gambetti, custodian of the Sacred Convent: Francisco loves to return to this place to relaunch themes that are dear to him
Antonella Palermo – Assisi
A private visit among the crowd, that of the Pope in the citadel of Assisi, but in which the breath of the world is condensed. In this land that Francis knows, where local and global dimensions meet, mysticism becomes art, at this thousand-year-old pilgrim’s crossroads, where initiatives to promote peace and friendship between peoples have been periodic for decades. the fourth time the Pope will arrive who has chosen to bear the name of the saint of Umbria.
A visit in times of pandemic
Upon arrival at the Sacred Convent at 2:40 p.m., in addition to the greeting of the Bishop of the city of Umbria, Mons. Domenico Sorrentino, there will also be that of Cardinal Agostino Vallini, papal legate of the basilicas of San Francisco and Santa Maria degli Angeli in Assisi. In compliance with the anti-Covid norms, a score of friars will participate in the Eucharistic celebration in the crypt of the Basilica, without other faithful. The liturgy will be that of the feast of San Francisco. Right on his grave, at the end of Mass, the signing of the encyclical “All Brothers”. Next, a meeting with the conventual Franciscan community is planned in the cloister and the departure to Rome.
The invitation to an inclusive horizon in relationships
“Our hearts are swollen with joy, we are very grateful and grateful to the Pope. He loves to return to this place to progressively raise the dear themes of peace”, thus father Mauro Gambetti, Guardian of the Sacred Convent of Assisi. And remember the encyclical praised inspired by the “Franciscan spirituality that sees a connection between everyone and everything”. He does not hide that “there is also a little apprehension, we are very careful in this period.” Father Gambetti emphasizes that the document on fraternity and social friendship, in its very title, “points to an inclusive horizon in which we are invited to immerse ourselves. Like a mother, a womb that guards, nurtures, educates life ”.
Assisi, the crypt of the Basilica of Saint Francis
“If we could learn to deal with the spheres of social life and orient them to the principles of universal brotherhood – observes the custodian of the sacred Convent – we would have solved the problems of the world, we would feel joy for all. If we really paid attention to the other, if we were concerned about the enhancement of differences, of reciprocity, we would make the dream of the human heart come true, to be in paradise right now, within a harmony of relationships in which everyone has the right to citizenship, each life is welcomed, supported , promoted. The pandemic – he concludes – has given us back that horizon of connection that we thought we would overcome “.
