POPE FRANCIS TO THE MAFIA :REPENT, OR THE HELL AWAITS Prayer vigil for the victims of the Mafia March 21, Rome. I cannot finish without saying a word to the many who are absent today, but the protagonists: men and women of the Mafia, please change lives . With this appeal Pope Francis concluded the vigil this evening with the families of victims of the Mafia. Repent , stop doing evil ! We pray for you : repent, I ask on my knees and for your own good , he repeated. This life which you live - said in a deep voice Francis - will not give happiness , joy . Power and money you have now so many dirty business , mafia crimes are blood money , power, conflict , you can not take another life . Repent - there is time to not end up in hell, which awaits you if you do not change the way Have you had a dad and a mom think of them , and be converted , he concluded . In the reflection of the vigil , Francis said: The desire I feel and to share with you a hope that the sense of responsibility slowly wins on corruption in every part of the world. But this must start from within , from the conscience. and heal the behaviors and the social fabric . Thus justice will spread and take root , and takes the place of iniquity .I will be with you - promised Francis - in this journey that requires patience and perseverance . To the victims family , thank you for not be closed At the conclusion of the prayer vigil tonight , Pope Francis wanted to express solidarity to those who have lost a loved one a victim of mafia violence . Thank you - told them - your witness cause you have not closed but open out , to tell your experience . This important for young people . Francis also pointed out that a few days ago a crime near Taranto had no mercy even a child . Let us pray - called also - to capture the strength not to be discouraged and to fight against corruption. For the final blessing, Pope Francis wore a stole of Father Giuseppe Diana , who was killed 20 years ago by the Camorra , to impart the final blessing the prayer vigil led by him in the parish of St. Gregory VII with 700 relatives of the victims Mafia . Pope listens with his head bowed reading names mafia victims Papa Francesco - sitting on a simple chair next to Don Luigi Ciotti - listened with bowed head the list of 842 names of the victims of the Mafia, the reading of which have committed several of their family members and the judge Giancarlo Caselli . And then was proclaimed the Gospel of the Beatitudes . The last names of the 842 victims of the Mafia were read by Judge Giancarlo Caselli , already public prosecutor in Palermo . Among the names read by Caselli also the mayor of Pollica Angelo Vassallo and those of children Coco Campolongo and little Dominic. To all - he concluded Caselli - our firm promise of commitment . Rosaria Schifani , I have not lost hope Thank you Jesus, cause in these years I have not lost hope . He said Rosaria Costa Schifani, widow of Vito Schifani, one of the officers killed with their spouses Falcone Capaci. Pope personally greets many families of the victims before reaching the sanctuary of the church of St. Gregory VII, Pope Francis personally greeted many of the 700 families of the innocent victims of the Mafia , who crowded the barriers which divide into two sectors.
Posted on: Sat, 22 Mar 2014 08:28:58 +0000