Vatican City, Jan 29, 2017 / 09:09 am
On Sunday Pope Francis said being poor in spirit doesn't necessarily mean giving things up, but instead is rooted in humility and openness to others – an attitude capable of overcoming polemics and division, and leading to greater fraternity.
"The poor in spirit is the Christian who doesn't rely on oneself, on material riches, who doesn't insist on their own opinions, but listens with respect and willingly defers to others' decisions," the Pope said Jan. 29.
"If in our community there were more (people who are) poor in spirit, there would be less divisions, conflicts and polemics!" he said, adding that like charity, humility is "an essential virtue for living in Christian communities."
Pope Francis spoke to pilgrims gathered in St. Peter's Square for his Sunday Angelus address, which this week was attended by roughly 25,000 people, according to the Vatican police. Among attendees were 3,000 youth from Catholic Action in Rome, who participated as part of their annual "Caravan of Peace" event.