Pope Francis called for solidarity with all those who suffer in China on the World Day of Prayer which is celebrated this Wednesday, May 24, the feast of Mary Help of Christians, patroness of the country, venerated at the Shrine of Our Lady of Sheshan in Shanghai.
The Holy Father reminded the faithful to pray for both pastors and the faithful, sharing their joys and hopes.
“On this occasion, I wish to remember and express my closeness to our brothers and sisters in China, sharing their joys and hopes. A special thought also goes to all those who suffer, pastors and faithful, so that in the communion and solidarity of the Church universal find comfort and encouragement”, the Pope said during his greeting to the Italian-speaking faithful.
“I invite everyone”, Pope Francis continued, “to raise prayers to God so that the good news of Christ crucified and risen may be proclaimed in its fullness, beauty and freedom, bearing fruit for the good of the Catholic Church and of all the Chinese society”.
With this message, the Pope emphasized the importance of prayer and solidarity with the Church in China, recognizing the challenges and difficulties facing Catholics in that country.
On the other hand, the Pope highlighted today during the catechism the testimony of Saint Andrew Kim Tae-gon, the first martyred priest in Korea. In the midst of persecution in Korea two hundred years ago, Saint Andrew could not openly confess his faith.
Despite this, the Holy Father explained that this priest found ways to identify himself as a “disciple of Jesus” to give life to the Gospel and testify to his faith, for which the Successor of Peter highlighted the apostolic zeal of the Korean martyr.
The Pontiff also mentioned a scene in the life of Saint Andrew when, as a seminarian, he fell exhausted in the snow while looking for a missionary. However, a helping hand lifted him up and helped him keep going. “This scene teaches that even though we may fall, we can always get up because Jesus holds us up,” he noted.
In his greeting to the Spanish-speaking pilgrims, the Pope asked the Lord to grant them the zeal of Saint Andrew and the strength of the Holy Spirit to bear witness to the Gospel in daily life, simply by being “disciples of Jesus” in their vocation.
He also asked that Jesus always be the friend who supports them in difficulties, to persevere in good to the end.