Mission World - August 2018

Francis surprises homeless at new Cardinal’s dinner

He dined with the poor and spent about two hours chatting with them.

Photo: Vatican News - www.vaticannews.vaThe Pope dining with the poor and homeless of Rome on June 29, 2018. Photo: Vatican News - www.vaticannews.va

Pope Francis made a surprise visit to a dinner for the poor and homeless that was being hosted by the new Cardinal Konrad Krajewski, the Pope’s official almsgiver.

"I came for the poor, not for you," a smiling Pope told Cardinal Krajewski, as he dined with the poor and spent about two hours chatting with them on June 29, 2018.

The date was the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, the patronal feast of the Church of Rome and a public holiday in the city.

Some 280 people were invited to a dinner by Krajewski who was made cardinal by Pope Francis at the Consistory the previous day, June 28, 2018.

About 60 volunteers served dinner to the poor, including Carlo Santoro of the Community of Sant'Egidio of Rome. Santoro collaborates with Cardinal Krajewki’s Office of Papal Charities to assist the homeless in Rome

"It was a specially warm visit because it was a dinner of the new cardinal with the poor,” Santoro said. “To the surprise of all, the Holy Father arrived. We thought it was a simple greeting and he would be off soon,” he said.

Santoro said Pope Francis greeted each guest at the dinner with great affection.

At the table where the Pope sat were several Syrian refugees who had arrived through the efforts of the Sant'Egidio Community.

Also sitting at the same table was another refugee who told the Pope how he arrived in Italy - via a 11 month journey, full of dangers.

Another guest from Senegal, a Muslim, said it was his third time at a meal with a Pope. He had been with both Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI for lunch, and this was the third time. Pope Francis jokingly told him about starting “a collection of Popes!”

Santoro said they also introduced to the Pope some of the homeless who sleep around St Peter’s Square at night. He was moved to hear that many homeless people also help the volunteers help others, Santoro said.

La Croix International, https://international.la-croix.com July 2, 2018

Photo: sgame/Bigstock.com

Mission Intention for August

That any far-reaching decisions of economists and politicians may protect the family as one of the treasures of humanity.

We ask your prayers:

The prayers of our readers are requested for the repose of the souls of friends and benefactors of the Missionary Society of St Columban who died recently and for the spiritual and the temporal welfare of all our readers, their families and friends.

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