Go to the poor does not mean that we must become pauperisti, or a sort of “spiritual bums”! No, no, it does not mean that! It means that we have to go to the flesh of Jesus suffering. (Address to the Ecclesial Convention of the Diocese of Rome, Paul VI Hall, June 17, 2013)
“It will be a church full of charity.” The archbishop of the Shrine of Pompeii, Tommaso Caputo, announces that the privilege of surrounding Papa Francesco, in the morning of March 21 visit to the Marian city, will be entirely for the poor “of those many people who every day crowd our canteens, centers Solidarity, care that offers the shrine dedicated to Our Lady of the Holy Rosary of Pompeii and founded by Blessed Bartolo Longo. ” In a press conference convened in the presence of Mayor Shrine of Pompeii, Ferdinand Uliano, was made official program of the visit of Pope Francis, who will land in Pompeii just before 8 hours in a helicopter, after taking off from the heliport at 7 o’clock in the Vatican. Will be welcomed to the lineup by the Bishop and the Mayor Uliano Caputo. In Popemobile will come out from the meeting, will travel via Rome and cross Piazza Bartolo Longo to enter the Sanctuary from the main entrance. Here you will go to pray before the image of the Virgin in a silent meditation, then recite together with the faithful little prayer to Our Lady of Pompeii, “a text full of theological value” defined him Monsignor Caputo. After greeting the sick, the disabled and the poor, ascend Bergoglio ‘in the Popemobile and will tour the streets to greet the faithful to return to the meeting and go up in the helicopter that will take off for Napoli at 8.40 to reach Scampia where he is expected at 9 am The mayor Uliano invited other mayors of the area to cooperate in organizing the flow of pilgrims. By the papal delegation of Pompeii is not concealed the hope of recognition of the holiness of the founder of the charitable works of the Sanctuary, Blessed Bartolo Longo. “For me it is already a saint – said Caputo – expect a miracle. Many reports we have already received. We await the review and the decision to Rome. “