“Christians who focus more on being superficially close to the Church rather than care for their fellow brothers and sisters are like tourists who wander around aimlessly,” Pope Francis said.
Pope Francis gave his weekly audience his message last August 21 and he wanted everyone to contemplate his message about people who practice the hypocrisy of ‘spiritual tourism’ that ultimately destroys the Church.
“A life based only on profiting and taking advantage of situations to the detriment of others inevitably causes inner death,” The Pope said.
Indeed, these types of people are everywhere.
“And how many people say they are close to the Church, friends of priests and bishops yet only seek their own interests. These are the hypocrisies that destroy the Church,” he continued.
As he was speaking, a little girl, whose name was Clelia Manfellotti, walked up the steps to where the pope was sitting. According to American Magazine, Clelia is a 10-year-old girl from Naples and she was diagnosed with autism.
The little girl who was wearing a pink T-shirt that says ‘Love,’ slipped away from her mom and was able to reach the marble stage where Pope Francis was giving his weekly sermon.
The girl caught a sight of herself on the large screen and she then tried different positions while watching her image on the screen. She also started running up and down, jumping, lying down, pulling faces, clapping, and stared at Pope Francis for some time.
Pope Francis smiled.
Pope Francis then said to his security ‘Let her be. God speaks for the children,’ he said. ‘Let her be, don’t worry.’
His audience gave a huge round of applause. He also said this little girl was beautiful and for his audience to understand that God is giving all of us a message.
Clelia remained on the stage for roughly five minutes before her mother walked up and took her hand and went back to their seats.
After some time, the little girl in pink was back on the stage – where she remained until the audience finished.
“This poor girl is a victim of an illness and she does not know what she is doing,” said the Pope.
The Pope wanted to impart a very important message to everyone.
“I ask one thing, but everyone should respond in their heart: ‘Did I pray for her; looking at her, did I pray so that the Lord would heal her, would protect her? Did I pray for her parents and for family?’ When we see any person suffering, we must always pray. This situation helps us to ask this question: ‘Did I pray for this person that I have seen, (this person) that is suffering?'” he asked everyone, including us who have seen this viral video.
Last year, a similar event took place where the Pope allowed a young boy with autism to play on the stage after escaping from his parents during the audience.
The Pope’s message for us is truly beautiful. That instead of judging, let us pray for all those who needs it.
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