Card. Ranjith: “Abide in Love” theme for Pope’s visit to Sri Lanka

 “Abide in Love” said Card. Ranjith,  “is the theme of Pope Francis’ visit to Sri Lanka in January 2015”.

Card. Malcolm Ranjith, the Archbishop of Colombo when speaking at an interview with Fides said they have  taken this theme from the Gospel of St. John because they  believe that love is the figure of this pontificate.  “Pope Francis with his every word and gesture invites us to remain in God’s love and will bring that message to us in Sri Lanka” he added.

The Card. expressed his joy at having the presence of the Holy Father and  said that they consider it an honour and a great encouragement to the Church in Sri Lanka.

“Preparations are going on unhindered on a spiritual and organizational level”  he said.   “In Sri Lanka we live in a time in which the Church is called to be a vehicle of the message of peace, love and reconciliation. The theme of reconciliation will be central”  says the Archbishop.  “The visit to Madhu, to the Marian Shrine in the Tamil area, is to express this message”  and added that  the Pope's presence will be a strong encouragement on this path of reconciliation. "I think the whole country and all religions welcome Pope Francis with a great spirit of friendship,”  he said.