Pope visits shanty town and encourages young people to keep fighting against corruption

Criado em 25/07/13 19h18 e atualizado em 29/07/13 14h53
Por Vitor Abdala and Akemi Nitahara Edição:s Fonte:Agência Brasil

Rio de Janeiro – In his speech during the visit to the community of Varginha, in Rio de Janeiro, Pope Francis made an appeal for the richer segments of society, public authorities, and society in general not to give up their efforts for more justice and solidarity in the world. He called for policies in the fields of education, health care, safety and dignity to people.

He arrived in the shanty town around 10:40 am. Despite the rain, thousands of locals from Complexo de Manguinhos, one of the city’s poorest areas, greeted the pope as he entered the favela. Many shouted out the pontiff’s name and some hung banners on fences against the forced removal of locals from their homes, and for justice for the innocents killed in the communities.

As soon as he arrived in Varginha, the pontiff got off his closed car and was driven up the hill on the popemobile. On his way up, he made a few stops and blessed children brought to him by their own parents or by police officers. Later on, he paused to say a prayer at the Saint Jerome Chapel, where he met with children from Sunday school.

On leaving the chapel, he walked around the community and kept on greeting locals and blessing children, in spite of being surrounded by a large security staff. Many came to the pope with gifts, among which a banner of San Lorenzo, the soccer team of which Pope Francis is a fan. Shortly before delivering his speech, he walked into one of the houses nearby.

A pulpit was set up on a soccer field, where the pope made a special appeal for the youth not to lose their trust in a better world. “All of you young people are especially sensitive when facing injustice, but are often dismayed by news about corruption and people who, instead of looking for the common good, seek their own benefit. Don’t feel discouraged, and never let your hope fade away. Reality can change. Man can change. Try and be the first ones to seek the good,” the pope said.

The pope also mentioned the efforts on the part of the Brazilian society towards fighting famine and poverty, and stressed that people cannot turn their backs on their poorer neighbor. “No pacification effort can last for long, no harmony and happiness can exist in a society that leaves part of itself marginalized. It grows poorer and poorer. Let us not allow the culture of the disposable to come into our hearts, because we are brothers and no one is disposable,” he said.

His speech was peppered with moments of playfulness and humor. At one point he said he wished he could knock at the door of every Brazilian and have a glass of water, a cup of coffee, but not a glass of cachaça [a popular alcoholic beverage from Brazil],” he said, making the whole crowd laughs as they listened to the pope on the soccer field.

At another moment, the pope said Brazilians are compassionate and always willing to share food with the hungry. “When someone needs to eat, all you have to do is knock on the door, and you’ll find a way to share your food. As the saying goes: you can always add more water to the beans,” the pontiff said in a playful tone.

Pope Francis finished his speech by saying he will take the community of Varginha in his heart.

Editors: José Romildo / Olga Bardawil
Translators: Fabrício Ferreira / Olga Bardawil