The following is the Message, signed by Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, sent on behalf of the Holy Father Francis to the Secretary General of the Italian Episcopal Conference, Bishop Stefano Russo, and to the participants in the 13th National Pilgrimage of families for families, to Pompeii and Loreto:

Message signed by the Cardinal Secretary of State

BISHOP STEFANO RUSSO, SECRETARY GENERAL

ITALIAN EPISCOPAL CONFERENCE

ON THE OCCASION OF THE 13TH NATIONAL PILGRIMAGE OF FAMILIES FOR THE FAMILY, WHICH THIS YEAR, VIA THE MEDIA, CONVENES PARTICIPANTS SPIRITUALLY IN POMPEI AND LORETO, THE HOLY FATHER ADDRESSES A GREETING TO EVERYONE, ADOPTING THE WORDS OF THE APOSTLE PAUL CHOSEN AS A MOTTO: “REJOICE, ENCOURAGE ONE ANOTHER, BE OF ONE MIND” (SEE 2 COR 13: 11).

POPE FRANCIS CONGRATULATES THE PROMOTERS AND THOSE WHO HAVE COLLABORATED IN THE INITIATIVE BECAUSE, IN THIS TIME IN WHICH FAMILIES SUFFER IN A PARTICULAR WAY THE HARDSHIPS CAUSED BY THE PANDEMIC, THEY HAVE CHOSEN AGAIN TO OFFER THIS WITNESS OF FAITH AND SOLIDARITY, SO THAT EACH PERSON MAY DRAW, FROM PRAYER AND FRATERNAL COMMUNION, THE HOPE AND STRENGTH TO KEEP GOING.

IN PARTICULAR, THE HOLY FATHER HOPES THAT THE BEGINNING OF THE SCHOOL YEAR MAY BE EXPERIENCED BY ALL WITH A GREAT SENSE OF RESPONSIBILITY, WITH A VIEW TO A RENEWED EDUCATIONAL PACT, IN WHICH THE FAMILIES ARE PROTAGONISTS AND WHICH PLACES BOYS AND GIRLS AT THE CENTRE: THEIR HEALTHY, WELL-FORMED AND SOCIABLE GROWTH IS A CONDITION FOR A SERENE AND PROSPEROUS FUTURE FOR SOCIETY AS A WHOLE.

HIS HOLINESS JOINS WITH THE PILGRIMS IN INVOKING THE INTERCESSION OF THE VIRGIN MARY, SO THAT CHRISTIAN FAMILIES IN ITALY, IN EUROPE AND IN THE WORLD MAY CONTINUE TO FORM THAT GREAT RIVER THAT SPREADS LIFE, FAITH, HOPE AND LOVE IN THE PEOPLE OF GOD AND IN THE WHOLE OF SOCIETY.

HE SENDS HIS AFFECTIONATE BLESSING, AND ASKS THAT YOU CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR HIM.