Pope Francis proposed St. Francis of Assisi and Mother Teresa of Calcutta as models of poverty and mercy to be imitated. The Pope was addressing the participants of the meeting ‘Caritas, Social Friendship and the End of Poverty’ organized by the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences.
“Being happy is what the human being most longs for. Hence, the Lord promises happiness to those who want to live according to his style and be recognized as blessed,” said the Pope. All happiness is included in these blessed words of Christ, the Pope added. The Holy Father highlighted the testimony of St. Francis of Assisi, who was poor in spirit and rich in brotherhood. The saint has had a social friendship and a positive attitude of nature and its sustainability. He practiced the true wealth of joy for the love of Jesus Christ through his solidarity services.
Likewise, the Pontiff recalled the mercy of Mother Teresa of Calcutta, touched by the suffering of the multitude of poor people of our time that she considered her own. Finally the Pope stressed that we are called to carry out a global movement against indifference. The Pope concluded by saying to knock the door to the path of beatitudes and authentic happiness is opened to us.