For the Marginalized: It is with this intention that Pope Francis asks the faithful to pray for the month of September.
Bianca Fracalfieri – Vatican News
In the pope’s video, Francis expresses his bewilderment at the level of indifference we have reached towards a brother living on the margins of society.
“How can we allow this ‘culture of neglect’, which is worthless to millions of men and women in terms of economic benefits, to control our lives, our cities, our way of life?”
And not only that, the Pope warns of the danger of “stiff neck” to look away so as not to see this situation.
Please, the Pope asks, “let us stop making invisible those who live on the fringes of society, whether because of poverty, addiction, mental illness or disability.”
On the other hand, we will invest in a “welcome culture,” welcoming, providing a roof over our heads, shelter, love, and human warmth.
“Let us pray that institutions do not forget the people who live on the margins of society, in inhuman living conditions, and are never considered to be ignored” is Francis’ final appeal.
According to United Nations data, more than 700 million people, or 10% of the world’s population, live in extreme poverty, with difficulty meeting basic needs such as health, education, and access to water and sanitation.
The United Nations adds that about 1.6 billion people live in precarious housing conditions and most industrialized countries are no exception. WHO data also reveals that one in eight people in the world suffers from symptoms of some kind of “mental problem”, and that 16% of the world’s population suffers from a “significant disability”.
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