Qatar 2022, Pope Francis: "The World Cup should foster brotherhood and peace among peoples"

At today's general audience, Pope Francis spoke of the

indicating a path of harmony and peace among peoples: "I would like to send my greetings to the players, fans and spectators who are following the soccer world championships from various continents are being played in Qatar. May this important event be an occasion for encounter and harmony between nations, promoting brotherhood and peace among peoples", said the Holy Father at the end of the audience. 

However, in his opening address, the pontiff, continuing his

warned against

: "Let us be careful: we must clearly distinguish the consolation that comes from God from the false consolations. Something similar happens in the spiritual life to what happens in the productions human:

- said Bergoglio. In the end, false consolation leaves us empty, far from the center of our existence".

For the pope, therefore, "discernment must be made, even when one feels consoled. Because false consolation can become a danger".

Following this common thread, Bergoglio warns against

who sometimes seek "their parents only to get things from them, but not for themselves", "out of interest", especially "when the family is divided" and " that's not good," he says.

And greeting the representatives of

of the Fidae, he launches an appeal: "I hope that their important educational and social role will be recognized at all levels". 

The pontiff makes an important reference to the

, which will be held in Lisbon next year.

"The joy of meeting again and the will to be together are fundamental signs for today's world, torn apart by clashes and wars", said Pope Francis in his greetings to the Portuguese-speaking faithful.  

As always, the Holy Father does not fail to address a thought and a prayer for the

so that peace can be reached and "the end of all conflicts, with a special thought for the terrible suffering of the dear and martyred Ukrainian people. This Saturday marks the anniversary of the terrible

, the extermination by hunger of 1932-33 artificially caused by Stalin.Let us pray for the victims of this genocide and let us pray for the many Ukrainians, children, women, elderly, who suffer martyrdom today of the assault". 

While war rages in many parts of the world, it is ever more urgent to educate ourselves and to educate ourselves in peace and care.

There is anticipation for Monday 28 November, when 6,000 students, teachers and school administrators of

will meet with Pope Francis in the meeting, entitled "For peace. With care" which will take place in the Paolo hall VI of the Vatican City and will end with a special edition of the

march .  

Finally, the pope does not forget the victims of the earthquake that hit Indonesia yesterday.

"In the past few hours, the island of Java, in Indonesia, was hit by a strong earthquake. I express my closeness to that dear population and I pray for the dead and wounded", said Pope Francis.