Pope close to persecuted Christians, cautions against false messiahs

Pope close to persecuted Christians, urges faithful not to be misled by false messiahs
November 18, 2013 - Pope Francis on Sunday expressed his and the Universal Church’s solidarity and closeness with persecuted Christians around the world, admiring their courage and witness and pledging them their affection and prayers. Speaking to a vast crowd in Rome’s St. Peter’s Square before the weekly midday ‘Angelus’ prayer and blessing, the Pope reflected on Sunday Gospel reading on Jesus speaking about the end of time and the persecution of His followers. The Pope thought of the many Christian brothers and sisters who suffer persecution for their faith, saying “they are many”. “Perhaps much more than in the first Christian centuries. In many part of the world they suffer because of their fidelity to Jesus Christ, and we greet them with our hearts and affection,” he added.
Beginning his reflection on Jesus’ warning about the end of time, Pope Francis warned people not to place their trust in "gurus, false messiahs and sorcerers" who proclaim to be acting in Christ’s name. Firstly, the Pope said, do not be fooled by false messiahs and do not be paralyzed by fear. Secondly: live the time of waiting as a time of witness and perseverance.” It is a call to the Christian virtue discernment, to be able understand the difference between the spirit of the Lord and the spirit of evil. Even today, in fact, there are false "saviors" , who attempt to substitute leaders of this world, holy men, even sorcerers for Jesus, people who want to attract hearts and minds, especially of young people, to themselves. Jesus warns us: "Do not follow them". And the Lord also helps us to not be afraid when faced with wars, revolutions, but also to natural disasters, epidemics, Jesus frees us from fatalism and false apocalyptic visions."
After the ‘Angelus’ and blessing, Pope Francis recalled the Year of Faith that concludes next Sunday, Nov. 24, and encouraged the faithful in the square to pick up a little box of spiritual medicine on their way out. “But some may think, ‘is the Pope trying to be pharmacist now?” he said. “It is a special medicine to make more concrete the fruit of the Year of Faith that is coming to a close,” he explained, raising a little box of rosary for the crowds to see. “Take it! It’s a rosary with which one can pray also the chaplet of Divine Mercy, spiritual help for our souls and for spreading love, forgiveness, and brotherhood everywhere.” The rosaries with beads in the form of hearts were freely distributed in the square. “It is good for the heart, for the soul, for all of life,” the Pope urged.