Persecution

POPE FRANCIS “Let us pray especially for Christians who suffer persecution – [and] in these times, there are many Christians who suffer persecution, a great many, in many countries: let us pray for them from our heart, with love, that they might feel the living and comforting presence of the Risen Lord.” The Pope also explained how the Apostles were able to face with joy the suffering they had to go through, at the hands of their persecutors. POPE FRANCIS “Their faith was based on so powerful and personal an experience of Christ crucified and risen, that they were not afraid of anything or anyone, and even saw their persecution as a badge of honor, that made them capable of following in the footsteps of Jesus and to be like Him, bearing witness [to Him] with their lives.” Pope Francis urged pilgrims to respond to adversity and misunderstandings with “love and with the power of truth.” The same way Jesus did so during His Passion.