Pope in Verona: emotional embrace between relatives of war victims, an Israeli and a Palestinian

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Pope Francis’ pastoral visit to Verona It began with a meeting with priests and consecrated persons in the Basilica of San Zeno. The pontiff described the basilica as “one of the most beautiful in Italy, having inspired poets such as Dante and Carducci.”

During his meeting with the priests, the Pope asked for forgiveness and urged them not to persecute the repentant. In front of the Basilica, Met about 7,000 youth And stressed the importance of being a symbol of peace, sharing goodness, listening to others and avoiding conflicts:

“We should be symbols of peace, always sharing good, listening to others, playing with others, but don’t fight with others, Let us say it together: we must together be symbols of peace,” said Francis, who hopes for peace in Ukraine, the Holy Land, the regions of Africa and Myanmar.

Pope’s visit continues inside Verona ArenaA packed house of over ten thousand people attended the event “Field of Peace – Justice and Peace Kiss”.

“If our idea of ​​the leader is that of a single person above all others, called to decide and act in his name and on his behalf, then we are taking a poor and impoverished view, which This drains the creative energy of those who are leaders And making the entire community and society sterile. “One does not exist without the other,” the Pope said.

Pope embraces Israelis and Palestinians

,ending all forms of war and violence“We must stand with the little ones, respecting their dignity,” Francis said. Israeli businessman Maoz Inon, who lost his parents in a Hamas attack on October 7, and Palestinian businessman Aziz Sara, whose brother was murdered by Israeli forces. stage.

Neighbors were reading written speeches together, He called for peace in the Middle East, After a standing ovation from all present, the Pope thanked them and said: “they had the courage to hug each otherProof not only of peace, but also of a project for the future.” The two businessmen then approached the Pope, who stood alone and embraced them in turn. There was applause and tears among those present.

After this the Pope left the field and moved ahead Montorio PrisonWhere he met imprisoned women and men.