Pope appeals for Horn of Africa, urges patience in fighting evil

(July 18, 2011) Pope Benedict XVI on Sunday appealed for urgent help for people in the Horn of Africa where millions are threatened with drought and starvation. He made the appeal before praying the weekly midday ‘Angelus’ with pilgrims who had gathered at the papal summer residence in Castel Gandolfo, outside Rome, where he is on vacation. He drew attention to the humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in the Horn of Africa, particularly in Somalia, where, he said, there is severe drought in some places and heavy rains elsewhere. He noted that masses of people are fleeing the terrible famine in search of food and help. The Holy Father hoped that the international community will mobilize quickly to bring timely help “for these sorely tried brothers and sisters of ours, among whom are many children.” “May these suffering people not lack our solidarity and the concrete support of all people of good will,” the Pope said.
Last week, the Vatican’s Pontifical Council Cor Unum sent a donation of some $70,000 on behalf of the Pope as a token of the universal Church's concern for the people there. The World Health Organisation (WHO) said on Friday that drought across the Horn of Africa, now affecting more than 11 million people in Ethiopia, Djibouti, Kenya and Somalia, has increased the risk of the spread of infectious diseases, especially polio, cholera and measles. Somalis fleeing severe drought and intensified fighting have been arriving at the rate of more than 1,700 a day in Ethiopia, where 4.5 million people now need assistance, nearly a 50 percent rise since April, WHO said.
Earlier, before his appeal for the Horn of Africa, Pope Benedict reflected on Sunday’s Gospel reading on the parable of the sower saying in the fight against evil one needs to be patient. The Pontiff said, "Jesus compares the Kingdom of Heaven to a field of wheat, to make us understand that within us is sown something small and hidden, which, nevertheless, has an indomitable vital force." "Despite all the obstacles, the seed will develop and the fruit will mature. This fruit will only be good if the terrain of life has been cultivated according to the divine will." However Jesus warns, that after the owner planted the seed ... 'his enemy' came and sowed weeds." This the Holy Father said means that we must guard the grace received in Baptism and continue nourishing it with faith in the Lord, which prevents evil from taking root. The Pope explained the parable further, citing St. Augustine who observed that 'many at first are weeds and then become good seeds.' If the weeds were not treated with patience, they would not have attained the praiseworthy change.
Later, after reciting the ‘Angelus’ and imparting his blessing, Pope Benedict praised the pious practice of wearing the scapular. Addressing Polish-speaking pilgrims at Castel Gandolfo he noted that the scapular is a "particular sign of union with Jesus and Mary." The devotional scapular typically consists of two small pieces of cloth, wood or laminated paper, bearing a religious image, joined by two bands of cloth. It is worn around the shoulders, the Latin of which is ‘scapulae’ – hence the word scapular. Pope Benedict spoke about this devotion in the aftermath of Saturday’s feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, which is linked with the scapular. "For those who wear it, it is a sign of filial abandonment to the protection of the Immaculate Virgin," the Pope said, adding, "In our battle against evil, may Mary our Mother wrap us in her mantle."