Pope laments wars, injustices that ‘ruined’ 2017
VATICAN CITY: Bidding 2017 farewell, Pope Francis decried wars, injustices, social and environmental degradation and other man-made ills which he said spoiled the year.
Francis presided at a New Year’s Eve prayer service in St Peter’s Basilica, a traditional occasion to say thanks in each year’s last hours.
In his homily, the pope said God gave to us a ``whole and sound’' year, but ``we humans in so many ways ruined and hurt it with works of death, with lies and injustices.’'
``The wars are the flagrant sign of this repeated and absurd pride,’' he said.
``But so are all the little and big offences against life, truth, brotherhood, that cause multiple forms of human, social and environmental degradation.’'
Francis added: ``We want to, and must assume, before God, our brothers and Creation our responsibility’' for the harm.
Despite the gloom, Francis said ``gratitude prevails’' thanks to those who ``cooperate silently for the common good.’' He singled out parents and educators who try to raise young people with a sense of responsible ethics.
After the solemn basilica service, Francis strolled outside, briskly crisscrossing St. Peter’s Square to shake hands and banter with well-wishers, and kiss babies held by some of the thousands of faithful who waited for hours for a glimpse of him.