Bulletins, Newsletters, and Flocknotes

Farewell Ceremony and Departure from the Principality of Monaco

Telegram to His Serene Highness the Prince of Monaco

 

Farewell Ceremony and Departure from the Principality of Monaco

At around 17.15, the Holy Father left the Louis II Stadium and transferred by car to the Monaco Heliport where, at 17.20, the farewell ceremony from the Principality of Monaco took place.

After the greeting from the local entourage and the Monegasque delegation in the heliport hall, the Holy Father proceeded through the Guard of Honour and took his leave of His Serene Highness Prince Albert II and Princess Charlène, before boarding the helicopter and departing at 17.30, bound for Vatican City. The helicopter carrying the Holy Father landed at 18.57.

 

Telegram to His Serene Highness the Prince of Monaco

Immediately after departure from the Principality of Monaco, the Holy Father Leo XIV sent the following telegram to His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco:

 

Telegram

HIS SERENE HIGHNESS PRINCE ALBERT II

SOVEREIGN PRINCE OF MONACO

MONACO

I EXPRESS DEEP GRATITUDE TO YOUR SERENE HIGHNESS, THE MEMBERS OF THE PRINCELY FAMILY, THE GOVERNMENT, AND THE BELOVED PEOPLE OF MONACO FOR THE WARM WELCOME AND GENEROUS HOSPITALITY EXTENDED TO ME DURING MY APOSTOLIC JOURNEY. I PRAY THAT ALMIGHTY GOD MAY BLESS YOU ALL WITH PEACE AND STRENGTH, AS I INVOKE DIVINE BLESSINGS UPON THE COUNTRY.

LEO PP. XIV

At around 12 noon, the Holy Father Leo XIV transferred to the Church of Sainte-Dévote for the meeting with young people and catechumens.

Upon arrival in the square in front of the Church, the Pope was welcomed by Archbishop Dominique-Marie David of Monaco, and by the parish priest of the church, Fr. Arz Dominique.

After the welcome greeting from the archbishop of Monaco and testimonies from some young people and catechumens, the Pope delivered his address, followed by the blessing and final hymn.

At the end, at approximately 12.55, Pope Leo XIV transferred by open-top car to the archbishop’s residence, where he was welcomed by staff at the entrance. He then had lunch.

The following is the address delivered by the Pope during the meeting with young people and catechumens:

 

Address of the Holy Father

Cari fratelli e sorelle, carissimi giovani! Cari amici, buongiorno!

Sono felice di essere qui con voi e vi saluto di cuore. Ringrazio l’Arcivescovo per le parole che mi ha rivolto.

Come ha sottolineato, la chiesa in cui ci troviamo è dedicata a Santa Devota, Patrona del Principato di Monaco: una giovane coraggiosa, che ha saputo testimoniare la sua fede di fronte alla violenza dei persecutori, fino al martirio. Il suo corpo, dalla Corsica, è provvidenzialmente arrivato fin qui, su quella che oggi è la costa monegasca. Volevano annientarla, cancellare ogni suo ricordo, e invece il suo sacrificio ha portato il messaggio di pace e d’amore del Vangelo ancora più lontano. Questo ci aiuta a riflettere sul fatto che il bene è più forte del male, anche quando, a volte, sembra nell’immediato avere la peggio. Non solo, ma ci ricorda anche che la testimonianza della fede è un seme che può raggiungere e fecondare cuori e luoghi lontani, ben oltre le nostre stesse aspettative e possibilità.

In questa chiesa, recentemente, alla memoria della Santa Martire Devota si è unita quella di  San Carlo Acutis , altro giovane innamorato di Gesù, fedele all’amicizia con Cristo fino alla fine, pur in tempi e con modalità completamente diversi: nella carità, nell’apostolato sul  web , di cui lo veneriamo patrono, e da ultimo nella malattia.

Carissimi giovani, questi due Santi ci incoraggiano e ci spingono a imitarli. Anche oggi, infatti, come è stato ricordato, la fede incontra sfide e ostacoli, ma nulla può offuscarne la bellezza e la verità. Ne sono prova i tanti uomini e donne di ogni età che, in numero crescente, desiderano conoscere il Signore e chiedono il Battesimo.

Nelle vostre testimonianze avete parlato di tutto questo. Benjamin, che ringrazio per quanto ha condiviso, chiede come fare per non lasciarsi trascinare lontano da sé stesso, dagli altri e da Dio dalle distrazioni di un mondo – il nostro – in continuo mutamento. La sua domanda è importante, e riguarda un aspetto fondamentale della vita cristiana: la vitalità del rapporto con Cristo e, in esso, il senso di unità che si crea in noi stessi e con gli altri. Un grande formatore di giovani, in proposito, ha detto che «la radice dell’unità di vita è nel cuore, […] è un fatto del cuore, è un dono di Dio, da chiedere con umiltà» (C.M. Martini,  Da Betlemme al cuore dell’uomo , Edizioni Terra Santa, 2013).

L’epoca moderna e quella post-moderna ci hanno arricchiti di tante cose buone, che ci offrono stimoli e possibilità prima sconosciute, a tanti livelli: da quello culturale a quello medico e della salute, da quello tecnico a quello della comunicazione. Esse ci mettono di fronte, però, anche a sfide importanti, che non possiamo ignorare e che dobbiamo affrontare con lucidità e consapevolezza. Come ha detto Benjamin, viviamo in un mondo che sembra andare sempre di fretta, smanioso di novità, cultore di una fluidità senza legami, segnato da un bisogno quasi compulsivo di continui cambiamenti: nelle mode, nell’aspetto, nelle relazioni, nelle idee e perfino in dimensioni della persona costitutive per la sua stessa identità.

Ma ciò che dà solidità alla vita è l’amore: l’esperienza fondamentale dell’amore di Dio, prima di tutto, e poi, di riflesso, quella illuminante e sacra dell’amore vicendevole. E amarsi, se da una parte richiede apertura a crescere e dunque a cambiare, dall’altra esige fedeltà, costanza, disponibilità al sacrificio nella quotidianità. Solo così l’inquietudine trova pace – anche noi desideriamo la pace! – e si riempie il vuoto interiore di cui parlava Andreia, non con cose materiali e passeggere, nemmeno con i consensi virtuali di migliaia di  like , o con appartenenze condizionanti, artificiali, a volte persino violente. Da queste cose bisogna sgomberare la porta del cuore, perché l’aria sana e ossigenante della grazia possa tornare a rinfrescarne e vitalizzarne le stanze, e perché il vento forte dello Spirito Santo possa riprendere a gonfiare le vele della nostra esistenza, spingendola verso la felicità vera.

Tutto questo, carissimi, ha bisogno di preghiera, di spazi di silenzio, di ascolto, per far tacere la frenesia del fare e del dire, dei messaggi, dei  reel , delle  chat , e per approfondire e gustare la bellezza dell’essere veramente e concretamente insieme.  San Carlo Acutis , in proposito, parlava dell’Eucaristia come dell’“autostrada per il Cielo” e dell’Adorazione Eucaristica come di un bagno di sole, capace di abbronzare l’anima.

Potrebbe esserci, qui, anche una risposta alla domanda di Ethan sulla preparazione prossima a ricevere il Battesimo la notte di Pasqua: vivere la Settimana Santa, nella contemplazione dei misteri della Passione, in un clima di ascolto della voce dello Spirito e di ciò che succede nel proprio cuore, facendone l’occasione per una serena e profonda revisione della propria vita, passata e presente.

E se questo conta per la vita spirituale e per la preghiera, allo stesso modo vale per l’esercizio della carità. Ethan chiedeva come possiamo dare testimonianza del dono di vita che riceviamo in Cristo; e Sophie domandava come essere testimoni di speranza per chi, segnato dalla sofferenza, rischia di perdere la luce e il conforto della fede. Di fronte alle sfide, Gesù ci ha raccomandato: «Non siate in ansietà di come parlerete o di quello che dovrete dire […]. Non siete voi che parlate, ma è lo Spirito del Padre vostro che parla in voi» ( Mt  10,19-20). Si riferiva alle persecuzioni sofferte per il Vangelo, ma noi possiamo applicare le sue parole ad ogni circostanza in cui la carità ci richiede di affrontare una prova importante per noi e per gli altri. Le parole e i gesti della testimonianza e della speranza non si improvvisano e non ce li diamo da noi stessi: vengono da un profondo rapporto con Dio, in cui noi per primi troviamo le risposte fondamentali della vita. Se il canale del suo agire in noi è aperto, e se è aperto lo scambio reciproco, con cui facciamo di tale rapporto d’amore un dono comune e condiviso, possiamo avere fiducia che le parole giuste e la forza necessaria ad agire verranno, al momento opportuno.

In questo senso potremmo leggere anche la frase bellissima, ma a volte fraintesa, di Sant’Agostino: «Ama e fa’ ciò che vuoi» ( In litteram Ioannis ad Parthos , 7, 8). Ama, cioè sii un dono gratuito a Dio e agli altri; sii vicino, non andare via, anche quando non potrai risolvere tutti i problemi e aggiustare tutte le difficoltà. Rimani, con amore e con fede. Monaco è un Paese bellissimo, ma la vera bellezza la porti tu, quando sai guardare negli occhi chi soffre o chi si sente invisibile tra le luci della città.

È così che Santa Devota ha trovato la forza di donare la sua vita fino in fondo, ed è così che  San Carlo Acutis  ha vissuto il suo cammino di santità, lasciando un sentiero di luce anche nel mondo del  web .

Cari giovani, non abbiate paura di donare tutto, il vostro tempo, le vostre energie, a Dio e ai fratelli, di spendervi fino in fondo per il Signore e per gli altri. Solo così troverete un gusto sempre nuovo e un senso sempre più profondo nella vita. Il mondo ha bisogno della vostra testimonianza, per superare le derive del nostro tempo e affrontarne le sfide, e soprattutto per riscoprire il sapore buono dell’amore di Dio e del prossimo.

A voi, giovani catecumeni, che vi preparate al Battesimo, e a voi che già avete ricevuto tale dono di grazia, rivolgo il mio augurio più caloroso: possiate vivere in Cristo una vita piena e autentica; possiate essere, per il bene di tutti, nella fede, nella speranza, nella giustizia e nella carità, costruttori di pace. Voi siete il volto giovane di questa Chiesa e di questo Stato. Monaco è un Paese piccolo, ma può essere un grande laboratorio di solidarietà, una  finestra di speranza. Portate il Vangelo nelle scelte del vostro lavoro, nell’impegno sociale e politico, per dare voce a chi non l’ha, diffondendo la cultura della cura. Fate di tutto un dono a Dio e vivete tutto come una missione, che vi vuole gli uni per gli altri amici in Cristo e fedeli compagni di cammino.

Vi affido all’intercessione di Maria nostra Madre, di Santa Devota e  San Carlo Acutis . E vi dono di cuore la mia benedizione.

At 14.45, the Holy Father transferred by open-top car to Louis II Stadium. Upon arrival he toured among the faithful in a golf cart.

Then, around 15.30, the Pope presided over the Eucharistic celebration.

At the end of the celebration, Archbishop Dominique-Marie David of Monaco addressed some words of thanks to the Holy Father.

Before leaving the stadium, the Pontiff greeted some people assisted by Church and lay associations.

The following is the homily delivered by the Holy Father before the proclamation of the Gospel:

 

Homily of the Holy Father

Dear brothers and sisters,

The Gospel we have heard (cf.  Jn  11:45–57) recounts the cruel sentence issued against Jesus; it tells us of the day when the members of the Sanhedrin “planned to put him to death” (v. 53).  Why does this happen to him?  It is because he raised Lazarus from the dead, restoring life to his friend, at whose tomb he had wept, sharing in the grief of Martha and Mary.  Jesus, who came into the world to free us from the condemnation of death, is himself condemned to death.  This is not a matter of fate, but a deliberate and carefully considered decision.

The verdict of Caiaphas and the Sanhedrin stemmed from a political calculation based on fear: if Jesus continued to inspire hope and turn the people’s sorrow into joy, “the Romans would come” and devastate the nation (v. 48).  Rather than recognizing the Nazarene as the Messiah — the long-awaited Christ — the religious leaders saw him as a threat.  As teachers of the Law, their vision was so distorted that they violated the precepts of the Law themselves.  Forgetting God’s promise to his people, they sought to kill the innocent, and behind their fear lay a desire to keep hold of power.  Although they had forgotten the Law, which commands, “Thou shalt not kill,” God did not forget the promise that would prepare the world for salvation.  His providence turned that murderous verdict into the means of revealing an act of supreme love: however wicked Caiaphas may have been, he “prophesied that Jesus was about to die for the nation” (v. 51).

We are thus witnesses to two opposing forces: on the one hand, the revelation of God, who presents himself as the almighty Lord and Savior; and on the other, the hidden schemes of powerful authorities who are eager to kill without scruples.  Does this not also happen today?  Where these forces converge, there lies the sign of Jesus: the giving of one’s life.  This sign is foreshadowed in the resurrection of Lazarus, which is the closest prophecy of the events that would later unfold in the passion, death and resurrection of Christ.  At Passover, the Son would fulfil the Father’s work through the power of the Holy Spirit.  Just as God brought life into being from nothing at the beginning of time, so in the fullness of time he redeems every life from death, the source of destruction in creation.

The joy and the strength of our witness come from redemption, in every place and at every time.  Indeed, our own stories are encompassed within Jesus’ story, beginning with the lives of the vulnerable and oppressed.  Even today, how many plots are devised around the world to kill the innocent!  How many excuses are made to justify their elimination!  Yet, despite the persistence of evil, God’s eternal justice always rescues us from our graves, as it did with Lazarus, and gives us new life.  The Lord frees us from pain by instilling hope.  He converts our hardened hearts by transforming power into service, revealing the true name of his omnipotence: mercy.  It is mercy that saves the world.  It nurtures every human life in all its frailty, from the moment it grows in the womb until it withers away.  As Pope Francis taught us, the culture of mercy rejects the throwaway culture.

As we have heard, the voices of the prophets testify to how God carries out his plan of salvation.  In the first reading, Ezekiel proclaims that God’s work begins with liberation ( Ez  37:23) and is realized through the sanctification of the people (cf. v. 28), who are on a journey of conversion, much like our own Lenten journey.  This is an invitation to become involved, rather than remaining at a private or individual level, so that our relationships with God and with our neighbors can be transformed.

First, liberation takes the form of a purification from the “idols” that defiled the people (v. 23).  But what are idols?  The prophet uses this term to refer to all those things that enslave our hearts, deceiving and corrupting them.  The word “idol” means “small idea,” that is, a diminished vision, which undermines not only the glory of the Almighty by transforming him into an object, but also the human mind. Idolaters are thus narrow-minded people who look at what captivates their gaze, ultimately darkening it.  And so, the great and wonderful things of this earth become idols and bring about forms of slavery — not for those who lack these things, but those who gorge themselves on them, leaving their neighbor in misery and sorrow.  Liberation from idols is thus deliverance from power understood as dominion, from wealth turned into greed, from vanity masquerading as beauty.

God does not abandon us when these temptations come, but reaches out to those who are weak and sorrowful, to those who believe that the idols of the world can save them.  As Saint Augustine taught, “man is liberated from their dominion when he believes in him who has given an example of humility” ( De Civitate Dei,  VII, 33).  This example is the very life of Jesus, God made man for our salvation. Rather than punishing us, he destroyed evil through his love, thus fulfilling the solemn promise: “I will purify them; they shall be my people, and I will be their God” ( Ez  37:23). The Lord changed the course of history by calling us from idolatry to true faith, from death to life.

Therefore, dear brothers and sisters, in the face of the many injustices that afflict peoples and the wars that tear nations apart, the words of the prophet Jeremiah, proclaimed today as a psalm, resound with strength: “I will turn their mourning into joy, I will gladden them, I will comfort them after their sorrow” ( Jer  31:13).  Idolatry makes people slaves of each other, but purification from idolatry sanctifies them.  It is a gift of grace that makes people children of God, and brothers and sisters to one another.  This gift sheds light on our present, for the wars that stain it with blood are the fruit of the idolatry of power and money.  Every life cut short wounds the body of Christ.  Let us not grow accustomed to the clamor of weapons and images of war!  Peace is not merely a balance of power; it is the work of purified hearts, of those who see others as brothers and sisters to be protected, not enemies to be defeated.

The Church in Monaco is called to bear witness to living in peace and with God’s blessing.  Therefore, dear friends, bring happiness to others through your faith, by manifesting authentic joy, which is not won through a wager, but shared through charity.  God’s love is the source of this joy: love for new and vulnerable life, which should always be welcomed and cared for; love for the young and the elderly, who should receive encouragement through life’s challenges; love for the healthy and the sick, who are sometimes alone, and are always in need of attentive accompaniment.  May the Virgin Mary, your Patroness, help you provide a welcoming and dignified space for the little ones and the poor, and to promote integral and inclusive development.

In the world’s prolonged Lent, when evil rages and idolatry makes hearts indifferent, the Lord prepares his Easter.  Human beings are the sign of this event: Lazarus, for he was called from the tomb; we, who are forgiven sinners; the Risen Crucified One, who is the author of salvation.  He is “the way, the truth, and the life” ( Jn  14:6), sustaining our pilgrimage and the Church’s mission in the world, which is to give God’s life.  This task is sublime and seemingly impossible, unless we give our lives to our neighbor.  It is an exciting and fruitful task, and the Gospel shines a light for our steps.

At 10.53, the Holy Father Leo XIV transferred by popemobile to the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception for the celebration of the Midday Prayer with the Catholic Community, expected to take place at 11.07.

Two children offered flowers to the Holy Father, who was welcomed by the Prince, the Princess and Archbishop Dominique-Marie David of Monaco, at the foot of the monumental steps, and by the parish priest, Canon Daniel Deltreuil, at the entrance of the Cathedral.

At the entrance, three canons offered the cross and holy water for aspersion to the Pontiff, who subsequently proceeded along the central aisle to the altar, while the choir sang a hymn. At the end of the meeting, the Holy Father transferred by popemobile to the Church of Sainte-Dévote.

The following is the homily delivered by the Pope during the celebration of the Midday Prayer:

 

Homily of the Holy Father

Dear brothers and sisters ,

We have an advocate before God: Jesus Christ, the righteous one (cf.  1 Jn  2:1-2).  With these words, the Apostle John helps us to understand the mystery of salvation.  In our weakness, weighed down by the burden of sin that marks our human condition, incapable by our own efforts of embracing the fullness of life and happiness, God himself approaches us through his Son Jesus Christ.  The Apostle tells us that Jesus, as a sacrificial victim, took upon himself the evil found in humanity and in the world, that he carried it with us and for us, and that he has overcome this evil, transforming it and freeing us forever.

Christ is the living center, the heart of our faith, and it is with this in mind that I address you.  I cordially greet His Highness Prince Albert, His Excellency Archbishop Dominique-Marie David, and the priests and religious present.  To each of you, I say that it is a joy for me to be here and to share in your ecclesial journey.

Regarding the reading we have just heard, I would like to offer you some reflections on Jesus as our “advocate.”

The first point concerns the gift of  communion .  Christ, the righteous one, interceding for humanity before the Father, reconciles us with the Father and with one another.  Jesus did not come to pronounce a judgment that condemns, but to offer to everyone his mercy that purifies, heals, transforms and makes us part of the one family of God.  His compassion and mercy make him an “advocate” in defense of the poor and sinners, not in order to pander to evil, but to free them from oppression and slavery, and to make them children of God and brothers and sisters to each other.  It is not the case that Jesus’ actions are limited only to physical or spiritual healing.  For they also include an important social and political dimension, for healed persons are reintegrated, with all their dignity, into the human and religious community from which – often because of illness or sin – they were excluded.

This communion is the sign  par excellence  of the Church, called to be a reflection in this world of the love of God which shows no favoritism (cf.  Acts  10:34).  In this regard, I would like to say that your Church, here in the Principality of Monaco, possesses a great richness.  For it is truly a place where all find welcome and hospitality, marked by a social and cultural mix that is characteristic of your society.  Indeed, although the Principality of Monaco is a small State, it is inhabited by people from Monaco, France, Italy and people of many other nationalities.  It is a small cosmopolitan State, in which the diversity of origins are also complemented by socio-economic differences.  In the Church, such variety should never become the occasion of division into social classes.  On the contrary, everyone is welcomed as persons and children of God.  Moreover, all are recipients of a gift of grace that fosters communion, fraternity and love of neighbor.  This is the gift that comes from Christ, our advocate before the Father.  For we have all been baptized in him and, thus, as Saint Paul states, “There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male nor female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus” ( Gal  3:28).

At the same time, it seems necessary to emphasize a second point:  the proclamation of the Gospel in defense of the human person .  Jesus desires that everyone welcomes the good news of the Father’s love.  Moreover, as an “advocate,” he speaks up especially in defense of those who were considered abandoned by God and were forgotten and marginalized.  He thereby made himself the voice and face of the merciful God who “works vindication and justice for all who are oppressed” ( Ps  103:6).

I think thus of a Church called to make herself an “advocate,” namely a defender of the human person, of every man and woman.  This involves a crucial and prophetic path of discernment aimed at promoting “the ‘integral development’ of humanity, which respects its dignity and authentic identity, as well as its ultimate goal, which refers to a mystery of full communion with the Triune God and among ourselves” (International Theological Commission,  Quo vadis, humanitas? , 22).

The first service that the proclamation of the Gospel must render is to shine a light on the human person and society so that, illuminated by Christ and his word, they may discover their own identity, the meaning of human life, the value of relationships and social solidarity, the ultimate purpose of our existence and our final destiny.

In this regard, I would like to encourage you to give passionate and generous service to the work of evangelization.  Proclaim the Gospel of life, hope and love.  Bring the light of the Gospel to everyone so that the life of every man and woman may be defended and promoted from conception until natural death.  Offer new pathways capable of stemming the tide of secularism, which risks reducing humanity to individualism and basing social life on the production of wealth.

How important it is that the proclamation of the Gospel and the practice of the faith, which are embedded in your identity and society, guard themselves from the risk of being reduced to mere habit, even if it is good.  A living faith is always prophetic, capable of responding to questions and being thought provoking.  Are we truly defending human beings?  Are we safeguarding the dignity of the person by protecting life in all its stages?  Is the current economic and social model truly just and marked by solidarity?  Does it possess an ethic of responsibility, which assists and goes beyond the “mere logic of the exchange of equivalents, of profit as an end in itself” ( Benedict XVI , Encyclical Letter  Caritas in Veritate , 38) so as to build a more equitable society?

Dear friends, by keeping your gaze fixed upon Jesus Christ, our advocate with the Father, you will develop a faith rooted in a personal relationship with him, a faith that bears witness, and is capable of transforming life and renewing society.  This faith needs to be proclaimed through a fresh language and by new tools, including those that are digital.  Everyone must be introduced to this faith and continuously formed in it using creative means.  This is especially the case for those who are learning how to encounter God, and I urge you to give particular attention to catechumens and those rediscovering their faith.

May your holy patron Saint Devota, virgin and martyr, inspire you by her example, and may the Immaculate Virgin, Mary Most Holy, intercede for you and guide you always.

At approximately 9.25, the Holy Father Leo XIV arrived at the Prince’s Palace. Upon arrival he was welcomed by His Serene Highness the Prince, the Princess, and their children in the Courtyard of Honour, where the welcome ceremony took place. Then, after the national anthems, the viewing of the Guard of Honour, the salute to the flag of the Carabiniers du Prince and the presentation of the respective delegations, at 9.40 the Pope and the Prince entered the Palace for the courtesy visit.

A private meeting took place in the Salon de Famille , followed by the exchange of gifts and the official photographs.

At the end of the visit, the Pope and the Prince appeared on the Palace balcony, from where they greeted the crowd gathered below.

The Holy Father then signed the Guest Book in the Salon des Glaces and, after the presentation of the family in the Salle des Gardes , the Pope and the Prince descended into the Courtyard of Honour.

The Prince pointed out the two frescoes on the façade depicting the visit of Pope Paul III in 1538 and the passage of the body of Pope Pius VI in 1802. Finally, both entered the chapel for a moment of prayer.

Then, at 10.53, Pope Leo XIV travelled by open-top car to the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception for a meeting with the Catholic community.

The following is the greeting that the Holy Father addressed to the Monegasque people:

 

Greeting of the Holy Father

Your Serene Highness, Dear brothers and sisters,

I am very pleased to spend this day among you and thus to be the first of the Successors of the Apostle Peter in modern times to visit the Principality of Monaco, a City-State marked by the deep bond that unites it to the Church of Rome and to the Catholic faith.

Overlooking the Mediterranean and situated among the founding nations of European unity, your land finds in its very independence a vocation to promote encounter and to foster social friendship. Today, these values are threatened by a widespread climate of isolation and self-sufficiency. The gift of smallness and a living spiritual heritage invite you to put your prosperity at the service of law and justice, especially at a historical moment when the display of power and the logic of oppression are harming the world and jeopardizing peace. As you know, in the Bible it is the little ones who make history! Indeed, authentic spiritualities keep this awareness alive. Even when a sense of powerlessness or inadequacy prevails, we need to trust in God’s providence, for we believe that the Kingdom of God is like a tiny seed that grows into a great tree (cf.  Mt  13:31–32). Such faith, however, changes the world only if we do not fail in our historic responsibilities.

The pluralistic makeup of your community makes this country a microcosm, where a vibrant minority of local people and a majority of citizens from other nations around the world contribute to its wellbeing. Within your community, many people hold positions of considerable influence in the economic and financial spheres; many are engaged in various kind of service; and there are numerous visitors and tourists. To dwell here is a privilege for some, and a particular call for everyone to reflect on their place in the world.

In God’s eyes, nothing is received in vain! As Jesus suggests in the parable of the talents, what has been entrusted to us must not be buried in the ground, but placed at the service of others and multiplied within the perspective of the Kingdom of God. What is more, this perspective is not limited to the private sphere, still less to a utopian vision of the world. On the contrary, the Kingdom of God, to which Jesus dedicated his life, is close, for it comes among us and shakes up the unjust configurations of power – those structures of sin that create chasms between the poor and the rich, between the privileged and the discarded, between friends and enemies. Every talent, every opportunity and every good placed in our hands has a universal destination; it bears an intrinsic need not to be held back, but to be shared, so that everyone’s life may be better. This is why Jesus taught us to pray, “Give us this day our daily bread” ( Mt  6:11). At the same time he says, “Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness” ( Mt  6:33). This logic of freedom and sharing lies at the heart of the parable of the Last Judgment, which places the poor at its center: Christ the Judge, seated on the throne, identifies with each one of them (cf.  Mt  25:31–46).

You are among the few countries in the world to have the Catholic faith as a state religion. This faith places us before the sovereignty of Jesus, who calls Christians to become in the world a kingdom of brothers and sisters – a presence that does not cast down but raises up, that does not separate but connects, always ready to protect every human life with love, at any time and in any condition, so that no one is ever excluded from the table of fraternity. This is the perspective of integral ecology, which I know is very close to your hearts. By virtue of the profound bond that unites you to the Church of Rome, I entrust the Principality of Monaco with the very special task of deepening its commitment to the Social Doctrine of the Church and to develop local and international best practices that manifest its transformative power. Even in cultures that are not very religious and are highly secularized, the approach to problems characteristic of this Social Doctrine can reveal the great light that the Gospel brings to our time – a time in which many find it difficult to hope.

Thanks to this ancient faith, you will thus become experts in “new things”; not so much by chasing after fleeting goods, which often fade after a season, but by being prepared to face unprecedented challenges, which can only be met with free hearts and enlightened minds. As  Saint Paul VI said on the 75 th anniversary of  Rerum Novarum , “You understand very well that to walk, one needs light; to promote social progress, one needs a doctrine […]; it is thought that guides life; and if thought reflects the truth – the truth about man, the world, history, and all things – then the journey can proceed freely and swiftly; if not, the journey becomes either slow, uncertain, difficult or misguided.”  [1] How relevant these words are today! For this reason, let us invoke Mary, Seat of Wisdom and Cause of our Joy, that through our minds, hearts and choices, she may always lead us to Christ, the Prince of Peace.

Pax vobis! Que la paix soit avec vous!

 

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[1] SAINT PAUL VI,  Homily on the LXXV Anniversary of “Rerum Novarum”  (22 maggio 1966).