Best wishes from Mattarella to the Pope, his heartfelt appeals are important

2022-12-17T09:36:29.304Z

." On the occasion of "your birthday, I wish to address to you, on behalf of all Italians and myself, the most sincere and cordial wishes for your personal well-being and for the long and fruitful continuation of your high magisterium". (ANSA)

"On the occasion of "your birthday, I would like to address to you, on behalf of all Italians and myself, the most sincere and cordial wishes for your personal well-being and for the long and fruitful continuation of your high magisterium". In his message to the Pope, the President of the Republic

Sergio Mattarella

underlines, among other things, how "the heartfelt appeals of Your Holiness to warn the international community about the risk of a dangerous drift towards a generalized conflict are of particular value".

"The year that is drawing to a close - observes the President - is dramatically marked by the aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine, with very serious consequences for the Ukrainian people - the victim of heinous crimes - and for the whole world. In the face of the attempt to to subvert the fundamental norms of the international order with violence, as well as the many crises and tensions in many areas of the world, the consciences of millions of people - believers and non-believers - have wondered about the most suitable means to put an end to injustices and defend violated rights".

In his message, Mattarella underlines that "The words with which, even on the occasion of apostolic journeys and visits to various cities of Italy, you invited us not to lose hope in starting concrete paths of dialogue, reconciliation and solidarity as unavoidable preconditions for a future of peace".

"With the hope - continues the President - that the now imminent anniversary of Christmas may inspire in all consequent actions with the universal value of brotherhood, please accept, Your Holiness, in addition to my personal greeting, the most fervent and affectionate wishes for your birthday and upcoming holidays."

"Most Holy Father, on your birthday we want to send you the

strong and sincere

embrace
of the Churches in Italy

It is the message of good wishes that the Presidency of the

CEI

sent to Pope Francis on the occasion of his 86th birthday.

"We still have in our eyes the images of His face furrowed by tears, as he addresses the Virgin Mary, on the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, during the traditional Act of Veneration in Piazza di Spagna - we read -. In His voice, broken by emotion, and in your bowed head we perceived pain and anguish for the drama of a war that is covering, with its darkness, the tortured Ukraine".

"A few days before Christmas - continues the message -, joy in the face of life that is born risks turning into torment for the many, too many deaths. Holy Father, let us cry with you, certain that the Lord who comes will console his people and he will bind up his wounds."

With her we look to the Virgin - says the Presidency of the CEI -: to her maternal protection we entrust our communities, the elderly and children, families, young people, the sick and the poor, those who have lost their jobs, those who are alone, those those who do not find the courage to hope have fallen into the vortex of addictions". "With her, who guides us with wisdom and patience, we walk the roads of the world to meet our sisters and brothers, to draw paths of love and unity" , he adds. "Holy Father, we support you with our affection and our prayers.

May Mary, Morning Star, watch over our steps and her ministry, so that together we can become instruments of peace and builders of a world of 'all brothers'.