In his homily at Casa Santa Marta, Pope Francis said people demonstrate two different types of unity – true and false, the latter of which divides individuals before resulting in even greater repercussions.
POPE FRANCIS
“When two or three begin to criticize another and begin to talk behind the person’s back… They create a false unity to condemn. They feel safe and condemn. They condemn mentally, then they act it out; then they end in accusing each other because they are divided. In this way, gossip is a behavior that kills because it destroys people, it destroys their reputation.”
Thus, the Holy Father urged Catholics to strive for true unity, which he said is being one with Jesus and the Lord.
EXCERPTS FROM THE POPE'S HOMILY
Vatican Media
“Exploitation of the people [which] is also contempt for the people because it converts them into an anonymous mob. It is an element which often repeats itself. Let’s think about this. On Palm Sunday everyone acclaims him: ‘Blessed are you, who comes in the name of the Lord.’ The Friday after, the same people cry out ‘Crucify him.’ What happened? They brainwashed them, and they changed everything. They became an anonymous mob which destroys.”
“When two or three begin to criticize another and begin to talk behind the person’s back… They create a false unity to condemn. They feel safe and condemn. They condemn mentally, then they act it out; then they end in accusing each other because they are divided. In this way, gossip is a behavior that kills because it destroys people, it destroys their reputation.”
“Men and women who are united and who always seek to progress along the path of unity—not a false unity, which has no substance, which only serves to get ahead and condemn people, and promotes interests which are not ours: the interests of the prince of this world, which is destruction. May the Lord give us the grace of walking always along the path of true unity.”
