Pope: mafias are structures of sin, they exchange faith with idolatry

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March 21, 2021 The mafias "exchange faith with idolatry".

Thus opens the Angelus, Pope Francis, who recalls: "Today in Italy we celebrate the Day of Remembrance and Commitment in memory of the innocent victims of the mafias" and underlines that "mafias are present in various parts of the world and, the pandemic, they are enriching themselves with corruption ".

He defined them as "structures of sin", "contrary to the Gospel of Christ".

"Today - he exhorted - let us remember all the victims and renew our commitment against the mafias", recalling that John Paul II denounced their culture of death and Benedict XVI defined them as paths of death.

But the Pope is not just talking about the mafia.

Tomorrow is World Water Day.

A day in which Francis invites us to reflect on the value of this wonderful and irreplaceable gift from God. For us believers, "sister water" - he says - is not a commodity: it is a universal symbol and a source of life and health.

Too many, many brothers and sisters have access to little and perhaps polluted water.

It is necessary to ensure drinking water and sanitation for all.

Finally, the invitation to Christians.

Bear "the testimony of a life that gives itself in service" and make your own "the style of God which is closeness, compassion and tenderness".

"It is a question of sowing seeds of love not with words that fly away, but with concrete, simple and courageous examples. Not only that, Pope Francis underlines, with theoretical condemnations but with gestures of love".

Christians can "bear fruit" when they have "no pretensions to clerical moralisms. This is arid ground".