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Pope visits center for abandoned children in Albania

Stresses the importance of charity and fraternity
Pope visits center for abandoned children in Albania
Published: September 22, 2014 10:41 AM GMT
Updated: September 21, 2014 11:43 PM GMT

Pope Francis visited an Albanian center for abandoned children on Sunday, emphasizing in his remarks that Christian charity can help bring oneself and others closer to God.

“This faith, working through charity, dislodges the mountains of indifference, of disbelief and of apathy, and opens hands and hearts,” the Pope said in an evening speech on Sunday.

“We see how faith brings light and hope in situations of grave hardship; we observe how faith is rekindled in hearts touched by the Spirit of Jesus who said, ‘Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me’.”

Pope Francis’ remarks came at the Bethany Center in Albania’s capital city Tirana. The center cares for abandoned children and adolescents. He also met with representatives from other charities in Albania.

The Pope said that the center’s work shows that it is possible for people of different ethnicities and religions “to live together peacefully and fraternally.”

“Here differences do not prevent harmony, joy and peace, but rather become occasions for a greater mutual awareness and understanding,” he said.

“The variety of religious experiences reveals a true and reverential love of neighbor; each religious community expresses itself through love and not violence, and is never ashamed of showing goodness!”

 

Full Story: Faith brings light to hardship, Pope Francis says at Children's center

Source:Catholic News Agency

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