In a message on Oct 21, Pope Francis urged Catholics striving to bring greater justice and hope to the world, to see the suffering people around them, stop to help and be open to continual conversion. The Pope suggested such action would help guide Catholic individuals and organizations to promote justice and peace, end poverty, assist migrants and safeguard creation.
The first sign, he said, is to “watch the crossings.”
“Many people cross our paths while they are in despair, including young people forced to migrate, the unemployed, women forced to choose between motherhood and a job, elderly people who are abandoned.”
“These are faces and stories that challenge us: we cannot remain indifferent,” the pope said. “These brothers and sisters of ours are crucified and await resurrection.”
The second sign the Pope suggested is, “No parking”.
We can get tired with all the challenges we face, but “God’s love is never static. It impels us and forbids us to stop. It sets us in motion as believers and disciples of Jesus on our way through the streets of the world, following the example of the One who is the way and has walked our roads.”
“How beautiful it would be if, in the areas most marked by pollution and degradation, Christians would not limit themselves to denouncing, but would assume responsibility for creating networks of redemption,” not only by planting trees, but also seeds of justice, he said.
A third sign is “to turn.”
“What awaits us is a profound conversion that touches not only environmental ecology but also human ecology, the ecology of the heart.”
“The choices to be made cannot be the result of new technological discoveries alone,” but must include new economic and social models that make special efforts to include everyone and to save the planet, he said.
Pope Francis said “The planet we hope for: is one where the culture of dialogue and peace will bring forth a new day, where work confers dignity on the person and safeguards creation, where culturally distant worlds converge animated by a common concern for the common good.”