“Oh, this genocide! It was terrible, terrible. We must never forget it so as not to go backwards.” This is how Pope Francis described the “terrible genocide that broke out in Rwanda in 1994” during his audience at the Vatican, this Saturday morning, for the “Nolite Timere” association, on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of its foundation.
Mário Galgano – Vatican City
The association was founded in Giugliano, near Naples, for the benefit of the children of the “Cité des Jeunes Nazareth” Foundation in Mbare (Rwanda), on the initiative of Dom Salvatore Pennacchio, then Apostolic Nuncio in that country and current President of the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy. , and the late Reverend Tommaso Cuciniello founded it.
“Mr Archbishop, you are doing something!”, said the Pope to Pennacchio in the audience at the Vatican this Saturday. “It was John Paul II who supported this initiative for the benefit of the many orphans left by the terrible genocide”, recalled Francisco.
Symbol of solidarity and sharing
“The Cité coat of arms features a Rwandan basket, a symbol of solidarity and sharing. “This reminds us that in a world in which walls and divisions between people and between peoples seem to increase more and more, charity knows no limits, as its history shows”, highlighted the Pope.
The audience at the Vatican
“Nolite Timere” supports the “Cité”, which dates back to 1987. It was the work of Saint Pope John Paul II, “who with his paternal gesture dedicated himself to orphaned and destitute children”. From 1999 the school accepted children from all parts of the country. The Neapolitan Association has supported the installation ever since.
“Because – we must not forget this – war and weapons rob children of their smile and their future…”
“Through the contributions of so many people, members, volunteers and benefactors, you have worked together for children for a quarter of a century, with an open mind and unconditional love, united by a common desire to give them back their smiles and a hope for the future. Because – we must not forget this – war and weapons rob children of their smile and their future, and that is tragic”, added the head of the Catholic Church in his speech to the guests.
“Let us pray for an end to violence and conflicts in the world”, concluded the Pope, “because of which, unfortunately, many children still suffer, are exploited and die, and let us emphatically remember the words of Saint Paul VI: 'Never again war ! Never!”
(Vatican news)
The audience at the Vatican