Pope Francis on the Solemnity of the Epiphany (Epiphany, also Three Kings in Slovakia) on Monday during mass in the Basilica of St. Peter he called on the faithful to promote a culture of acceptance and integration in their communities and to reject discrimination. TASR informs about it according to the AP agency.
The Feast of the Epiphany falls on the day when, according to the Bible, wise men from the East, guided by a star, came to Bethlehem to visit the newborn Jesus. Francis said that the star that guides humanity to God does not distinguish between ethnic, linguistic or national groups and is there for all. The Gospel record of this story (Mt 2, 1-12) does not indicate their number, royal rank or names; according to tradition, their names are Gašpar, Melichar and Baltazar.
“We do well to meditate on this today, in a world in which individuals and nations are equipped with increasingly powerful means of communication and yet seem less willing to understand, accept and encounter others in their diversity.” he said in his homily.
God calls Christians to reject everything that discriminates, excludes and rejects people, the Pope said. Instead, he called for the promotion of “a strong culture of acceptance, in which bottlenecks of fear and condemnation are replaced by open spaces of encounter, integration and life sharing; safe spaces where everyone can find warmth and shelter.” According to the Gospel, Francis has long preached the need to welcome foreigners, especially migrants.
Monday’s mass ended an extremely stressful period for the 88-year-old pope, which coincided with the beginning of the Holy Year 2025. Held once every 25 years, it is expected to bring more than 30 million pilgrims to Rome over the next 12 months.
This week the Pope will baptize several children in the Sistine Chapelwill deliver his annual speech on foreign policy to the diplomatic corps of the Holy See, he will meet with outgoing US President Joe Biden.
