(ANS - Quito)-"Evangelization can be a way to unite our hopes, concerns, ideals and even utopian visions. …  In our world, especially in some countries, different forms of war and conflict are re-emerging, yet we Christians remain steadfast in our intention to respect others, to heal wounds, to build bridges, to strengthen relationships and to ‘bear one an­other’s burdens’ ".  These are some of the thoughts that the Holy Father shared yesterday morning, 7 July, with the hundreds of thousands of people who attended Mass at the Bicentennial Park in Quito.

by Marcelo Mejía

The President of the Republic, Rafael Correa, and other civil and religious authorities joined the crowd of worshippers who listened to the words of the Holy Father urging them to renew their faith and commitment to the new evangelization in Ecuador. The message sent by the Pope called on all who were present at the Mass to go to the ‘peripheries’ to share with others to confront the major causes that affect the Ecuadorian people.

The President of the Ecuadorian Bishops' Conference, Archbishop Fausto Trávez of Quito, thanked Pope Francis for his visit. The Provincial of the Salesians, Fr Jorge Molina, said that, like Don Bosco, he felt "joy at the presence and closeness of the Pope in our land." And, as expected, the Salesian Family participated actively in this great event.

Yesterday afternoon, the Holy Father had a meeting with representatives of Catholic Education and civil society.

Published 08/07/2015