(01 Mar 09 - RV) Pope Benedict XVI says political leaders and industrialists must
make workers and their families the priority during the economic crisis.
The
Pope was speaking in Italian to pilgrims huddled beneath umbrellas in St Peter’s square
after the midday Angelus prayer, and his reflections on this Sunday’s liturgy the
first Sunday of Lent.
Many of those pilgrims were family’s from Naples
whose future has been put on hold by news that auto giant FIAT plans to relocate production
from their factory to Poland, with disastrous consequences for thousands of people
and the local economy. It is a situation being mirrored across Europe, America and
Asia as the global economic crises takes a firmer hold on the every day life of every
day people.
Speaking directly to those fathers and mothers who had come
to the Pope seeking words of solace and prayer, the Holy Father told them he would
entrust their prayers to the Our Lady and St Joseph the Patron Saint of all workers.
He said his thoughts went out to everyone everywhere in a similar situation
and he encouraged political leaders as well as industrialists to work together during
what he called a delicate moment, urging strong, joint efforts that keep in mind
that the priority must be workers and their families.
Marking the first Sunday
of Lent, Benedict XVI also renewed his invitation to the faithful to make use of this
liturgical time to overcome everyday temptations, calling for a conversion of heart
towards the essential things in life: "On this First Sunday of Lent, the Gospel
of Saint Mark speaks of Jesus being lead into the desert by the Holy Spirit, tempted
by Satan and assisted by the angels. Let us pray that our Lenten journey will strengthen
us in the struggle against all forms of temptation. Upon all of you I invoke God’s
abundant blessings, and I wish you a pleasant Sunday!".