Pope Francis delivered a Christmas message this week calling on the faithful to serve the less fortunate around the world.
The pope told the faithful not to place themselves above others, but rather lower themselves and place themselves at the service of the poor.
“It is an ugly thing when one sees a Christian who does not want to lower himself, who does not want to serve, a Christian who parades around everywhere. It’s terrible, no?
“That person isn’t a Christian: he is a pagan!
“The Christian serves (and) lowers himself,” the Pope told those at his Wednesday general audience.
Pope Francis will be celebrating his first Christmas since his elevation to pontiff.
He quoted the Bible, Matthew 25:35-46, in his appeal to help the poor, “Whoever has nourished, welcomed, visited, loved one of the least and poorest of men, will have done this to the Son of God.”
“On the contrary, whoever has rejected, forgotten, ignored one of the least and poorest of men, will have done this to God himself,” he continued.
Francis added, “Let us act that our brothers and sisters never feel alone!”
“Our presence is solidarity by their side expresses not only through the words but also through the eloquence of deeds that God is close to everyone.”
Sources
New York Post
ABC News
CNA/EWTN News
Image: Getty Images/NYP
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