During his papal visit to Palermo for the 25th anniversary of the mob killing of Blessed Fr. Pino Puglisi, Pope Francis addressed the cause of his death and the corruption plaguing the south of Italy, the mafia.
POPE FRANCIS
“You cannot believe in God and be in the mafia. One who is a mafioso does not live as a Christian, because he blasphemes with his life against the name of God-love. Therefore to the mafiosi I say: change, brothers and sisters! Stop thinking about yourself and your money.”
The pope spoke about Blessed Fr. Pino's life, which ended on his birthday, when he was shot on his doorstep by mobsters.
POPE FRANCIS
“Fr. Pino, he did, he knew he was in danger, but he knew above all that the real danger in life is not to risk, it is to live between comfort, cheap stunts and shortcuts. Lord, give us the desire to do good; to seek the truth detesting falsehood; to choose sacrifice, not laziness; love, not hate; forgiveness, not revenge.”
He explained that it is an illusion that one is happier with power or more money. In reality, he or she is a slave.
POPE FRANCIS
“The egoist thinks of himself and is attached to things: money, power, pleasure. Then the devil has open doors. The devil 'enters from the pockets,' if you are attached to money. The devil makes you believe that everything is fine, but in reality, the heart is anesthetized with selfishness. Selfishness is a very powerful anesthesia. This way always ends badly: in the end you remain alone, with emptiness inside.”
The pope asked everyone in attendance to choose what path they want for their future: that of love or that of selfishness.
