Pope Francis urged “not waste” the harsh days of the corona virus epidemic. In an interview published on Wednesday with the Italian daily La Repubblica, he indicated that the value of gestures of tenderness and love in the family can be re-discovered. He also thanked the doctors.
In an interview published under the title: “Do not waste these difficult days”, Pope Francis said: “In these difficult days, we can find small concrete gestures of intimacy towards loved ones; tenderness towards our grandparents, a kiss for our children, people we love.” It’s also – he added – to hug someone, the make a phone call. These are important gestures, decisive. If we survive these days in that manner, they will not be wasted – the Pope added.
He described his Sunday prayer in the Roman Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore and in one of the churches, to which he went on foot on a symbolic pilgrimage through the empty center of the Eternal City. I asked God to stop the epidemic; to stop it with His hand. That’s what I prayed for – he said. Francis noted that often people only maintain a virtual form of contact with others. He said that the “new closeness” should be discovered, relationships based on care and patience. As he pointed out, families often eat meals in silence. But not because they listen to each other, but because parents watch TV and children sit with mobile phones, he added. They look like monks, everyone isolated from each other – he said. In my opinion – said the Pope – the pain of these days should open us to understand the needs, desires, and others.
When asked what he would like to say to those who have lost their loved ones as a result of the epidemic and those who are fighting for the lives of the sick, Francis said: “Thank you to those who devote themselves to save others. And, I ask everyone to be close to those who have lost their loved ones” – the Pope said. He pointed out that giving comfort must now be everyone’s task.
Francis stated that he was impressed by the text of the Italian TV presenter Fabio Fazio, which was recently published in the daily La Repubblica, in which he wrote that those who do not pay taxes not only break the law, but also commit a crime, as – he said – the fact that in Italy there is shortage of hospital beds and ventilators is also their fault.
The Pope was also asked how unbelievers can find hope on days like these. All are children of God – Francis said. Someone can say: “I don’t pray because I don’t believe.” But, he/she can believe in the love of the people around him/her and this way find hope – explained the pope.
