Pope Francisco: “A Christian cannot be a sad person”

Pope Francis

This Sunday, Pope Francisco started the traditional rites of Holy Week, his first Palm Sunday Mass as Pontiff. Francisco arrived in St. Peter’s Square in an uncovered popemobile and before the obelisk located in the center of the square, blessed the palms and olive branches, symbols of peace.

In his homily he said that Christians cannot be sad people, encouraging  them to not allow anyone “steal their hope” and invited Christians to bring the joy of Christ to the whole world and not to be deceived by the thirst for money, ” ‘you can’t take it with you”:

“Do not be ever sad men or women: a Christian can never be (…)”, he said.

Pope Francis asked the faithful to not believe the devil when he says that nothing can be done against violence, corruption, injustice. “Don’t ever get used to evil; with Christ we can transform ourselves and the world”.

The first Latin Pope encouraged them not to be afraid of sacrifice. To young people, he said that they bring the joy of faith and encourage people to live it with a young heart, “even at seventy or eighty years old.” He also asked not to be ashamed of the cross of Christ.

After the Mass, the pope visited the square, kissed the children, descended from the vehicle to greet patients and stopped before a group of Latin Americans to whom he  spoke in Spanish, in the middle of applause and cheers.