Pope Francis on Wednesday presided
over the Mass for the opening of the Assembly of the Synod of
Bishops in St Peter's Square, telling participants to keep
"political calculations" out of proceedings.
"Dear brother cardinals, brother bishops, sisters and brothers,
we are at the opening of the Synod Assembly. And we do not need
purely natural vision, made up of human strategies, political
calculations, or ideological battles," the Argentine pontiff
said.
"Instead we are here to walk together with the gaze of Jesus,
Who blesses the Father and welcomes those who are weary and
oppressed."
Recalling Jesus' call to St Francis to 'Go and repair my Church'
on the saint's feast day, the pope said the Synod serves to
remind us that "our Mother the church is always in need of
purification.
"The Synod is not a political gathering, but a convocation in
the Spirit; not a polarized parliament, but a place of grace and
communion," he said.
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