Pope Francis is praying for a homeless man from Nigeria who died a few meters from St. Peter’s Square and reminds journalists of his task of giving first-hand testimony of the truth.
By Devin Watkins
After praying the Angelus on Sunday, Pope Francis paused for a moment to pray for Edwin, a homeless Nigerian man who died alone on a cold Roman night.
“On January 20, a few meters from St. Peter’s Square, a homeless Nigerian man named Edwin was found dead from the cold,” the Pope said. “Their situation is similar to that of many other homeless people who have recently died in Rome in the same dramatic circumstances.”
The Pope then invited everyone to pray for Edwin and paused for a few seconds in prayer.
He said Edwin, 46, was ignored by everyone.
“He was also abandoned by us,” Pope Francis said. “We pray for him.”
Then the Pope recalled a story of the papacy of St. Gregory the Great. When he witnessed the death of a beggar in the cold, on the 6thth Pope ordered that all Masses be suspended for an entire day, “because it was Good Friday.”
Journalists and witnesses
Pope Francis also recalled that Sunday is the feast of St. Francis de Sales, patron saint of journalists.
He referred to his message for World Communications Day 2021, which was published on Saturday, under the headline “Come and see”.
He said it is an invitation for everyone to communicate by meeting others where and how they are.
“I urge all journalists and communicators to go and see, there was not even anyone who wanted to go, and witness the truth,” he said.
Pray for Christian unity
In addition, the Pope recalled the conclusion of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, which will be held on Monday evenings in St. Paul’s Basilica outside the walls.
“I invite you all to unite spiritually in prayer,” he urged.