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June 13, 2020 "This pandemic came suddenly and caught us unprepared, leaving a great sense of disorientation and helplessness." Therefore, "the need for a new fraternity, capable of mutual help and mutual esteem" is needed. Thus Pope Francis in the Message for the IV World Day of the Poor which will be celebrated on November 15, on the theme 'Extend your hand to the poor'.

"The hand outstretched towards the poor, however, has not come suddenly. It, rather - underlines the Pontiff -, offers the testimony of how one prepares to recognize the poor to support him in time of need." of mercy. Daily training is needed, starting from the awareness of how much we first need a hand stretched towards us ".

This moment "that we are experiencing - adds Francesco - has put in crisis many certainties. We feel poorer and weaker because we have experienced the sense of limitation and the restriction of freedom. The loss of work, of the most affections dear, as the lack of the usual interpersonal relationships have suddenly opened up horizons that we were no longer used to observing. Our spiritual and material riches have been questioned and we have discovered that we are afraid. Closed in the silence of our homes, we have rediscovered how important simplicity is and keeping our eyes fixed on the essential ".

The Pope then specifies: "We have developed the need for a new fraternity, capable of mutual help and mutual esteem. This is a favorable time - he adds quoting the Encyclical Laudato si '- to" feel again that we need the of each other, that we have a responsibility towards others and towards the world (...) For too long we have been in moral degradation, making fun of ethics, goodness, faith, honesty (...). This destruction of every foundation of social life ends up pitting us against each other to defend our interests, causes the emergence of new forms of violence and cruelty and prevents the development of a true culture of care of the environment '". "In short - he continues -, the serious economic, financial and political crises will not cease as long as we allow the responsibility that everyone must feel towards others and each person to remain dormant".

"Extend your hand to the poor", therefore, "is an invitation to responsibility as a direct commitment of anyone who feels part of the same fate. It is an incitement to take on the burdens of the weakest". Pope Francis recalls that Saint Paul teaches "that the freedom that has been given to us with the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ is a responsibility for each of us to put ourselves at the service of others, especially of the weakest. it is an optional exhortation, but a condition of the authenticity of the faith we profess ". The book of Sirach, he adds, returns to our aid: "suggests concrete actions to support the weakest and also uses some suggestive images. At first he takes into consideration the weakness of those who are sad: 'Do not avoid those who cry'. of the pandemic forced us to a forced isolation, even preventing us from being able to console and be close to friends and acquaintances afflicted for the loss of their loved ones. And still says the sacred author: 'Do not hesitate to visit a sick person.' the impossibility of being close to those who suffer, and at the same time we became aware of the fragility of our existence. In short, the Word of God never leaves us calm and continues to stimulate us to do good ".