Pope Francis in the Philippines Read Online Free

relief workers . We thank him for the many people around the world who generously gave of their time , money and goods . Countries , organizations and individuals across the globe put the needy first ; it is an example that should be followed . I ask government leaders , international agencies , benefactors and people of goodwill not to give up . There is much that remains to be done . Though the headlines have changed , the needs continue . Today ’ s first reading , from the Letter to the Hebrews , urges us to hold fast in our confession , to persevere in our faith , to draw near with confidence to the throne of God ’ s grace ( cf . Heb 4:16). These words have a special resonance in this place . Amid great suffering you never ceased to confess the victory of the cross , the triumph of God ’ s love . You have seen the power of that love revealed in the generosity of so many people and in so many small miracles of goodness . But you have also seen , in the profiteering , the looting and the failed responses to this great human drama , so many tragic signs of the evil from which Christ came to save us . Let us pray that this , too , will lead us to greater trust in the power of God ’ s grace to overcome sin and selfishness . Let us pray in particular that it will make everyone more sensitive to the cry of our brothers and sisters in need . Let us pray that it will lead to a rejection of all forms of injustice and corruption which , by stealing from the poor , poison the very roots of society . Dear brothers and sisters , throughout this ordeal you have felt the grace of God in a special way through the presence and loving care of the Blessed Virgin Mary , Our Lady of Perpetual Help . She is our Mother . May she help you to persevere in faith and hope , and to reach out to all in need . And with Saints Lorenzo Ruiz and Pedro Calungsod and all the saints , may she continue to implore God ’ s mercy and loving compassion for this country , and for all the beloved Filipino people . Amen .
     

Pope Francis Speech , UST Manila , Jan . 18, 2015
     
    Dear Young Friends ,
    When I speak spontaneously I do it in Spanish , because I don ’ t know the English language . May I do it ? Thank you very much . This Fr Mark , a good translator .
    ( As translated from Spanish by Msgr Mark Gerard Miles )
    First of all , a sad piece of news . Yesterday , as Mass was about to start , a piece of scaffolding fell and , upon falling , hit a young woman who was working in the area and she died . Her name is Kristel . She worked for the organization preparing for that Mass . She was 27 years old , young like yourselves . She worked for Catholic Relief Services as a volunteer . I would like all of you who are young like her to pray for a moment in silence with me and then we will pray to Our Mother in Heaven . Let us pray .
    Leads prayer of Hail Mary …
    Let us also pray for her parents . She was an only child . Her mother is coming from Hong Kong and her father is here in Manila .
    Leads prayer of Our Father …
    It is a joy for me to be with you this morning . I greet each of you from the heart , and I thank all those who made this meeting possible . During my visit to the Philippines , I wanted in a particular way to meet with young people , to listen to you and to talk with you . I want to express the love and the hopes of the Church for you . And I want to encourage you , as Christian citizens of this country , to offer yourselves passionately and honestly to the great work of renewing your society and helping to build a better world .
    In a special way , I thank the young people who have offered words of welcome to me .
    To Jun and Leandro Santos II and to Rikki , thank you very much . There ’ s only a very small representation of girls among you . Too little . Women have much to tell us in today ’ s society . Sometimes we are too “ machistas ” and we don ’ t allow enough space to women . But women can see things from a different