Oct 21, 2007 / 10:15 am
Tens of thousands of Neapolitans turned out today in pouring rain to hear the Pope’s words and show their support for him. Cries of “viva la Papa” (long live the Pope) could be heard as the he made his way in the Pope mobile to the Piazza del Plebiscito, where he celebrated Mass and recited the Angelus.
The Holy Father’s message for Naples was that its culture of violence must be overcome through political solutions and above all, by a spiritual renewal which is fueled by the “great force for transforming the world,” prayer.
Naples needs effective political solutions to fight against the mentality which draws young people into an underworld of illegal activities, but even more so it needs a deep spiritual renewal, the Pope said.
This renewal will come about through a formation of consciences which can transform people’s attitudes and ways of behaving. The indispensable key to this conversion is prayer: “The deepest expression of faith, which in silence can change the world and transform it into the kingdom of God,” the pontiff explained.