(ANS - Manila)- "When the heart is able to weep we are capable of understanding (...).  Some realities of life can be seen only with eyes washed clear by tears. I beg each of you to ask yourself: Have I learned to cry?" This was one of the most touching reflections addressed by Pope Francis to the faithful during his trip to the Philippines. It came when he spoke to the young people of Manila

                                                        By Gian Francesco Romano

Pope Francis’s second visit to Asia was a continuous succession of speeches and gestures of great impact and profound evangelical witness. Apart from his official speeches, the Holy Father tried to establish genuine dialogue with his audience. He did not avoid the most pressing issues for Philippine society, nor the questions that challenge the faith. "Today I heard the only question that has no answer: why do children suffer?" The question had been asked by a young girl who had been on the streets.

In his visit to the largest Catholic country of Asia, the Pope spoke on three main themes: the environment, on which he is preparing an encyclical; moral integrity in opposition to widespread corruption; and the poor.  Of the three themes the one on which the Pope was most insistent was definitely the third: attention to the poor and needy, to those who have nothing, like the victims of the Haiyan cyclone that devastated Tacloban in 2013. Before an immense crowd of faithful, all wearing yellow raincoats on account of the heavy rain, the Holy Father revealed that he had decided to go to the Philippines as soon as he saw pictures of the devastation wrought by the cyclone. He almost apologized for having delayed so many months. "To each of you God responds, speaking from his heart to your hearts... So many of you have lost everything. I do not know what to say to you, but God knows what to say to you," he said.

Yesterday the Pope celebrated Mass in front of about 6-7 million people, the largest gathering of the faithful ever to attend a Papal event. The Mass took place at the Rizal Park in Manila – the place where new presidents are inaugurated. It is the place of new beginnings. "During my visit I heard you singing 'We are all children of God'. This is what the Holy Child is telling us. It reminds us of our deepest identity. We are all children of God, members of God's family."  This was the final message of his visit.

Published 19/01/2015