Pope Francis urges prayers for homeless during Coronavirus pandemic

The Coronavirus remains the forefront of many peoples thoughts and fears. The numbers of infected and deceased are climbing, and life for a lot of people has been drastically altered. 

Pope Francis reflected on Christ's sacrifice on the cross for the sins of the world.

Highlights

By Abigail James
3/31/2020 (5 years ago)

Published in Living Faith

Keywords: Pope Francis, Coronavirus, prayers, homeless, Italy, Mass

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - Those who are homeless face the same amount of Coronavirus fear, if not more, than those who have homes to isolate themselves in. On Tuesday, March 31, Pope Francis prayed for those who do not have homes during this pandemic. 

"Let us pray today for those who are homeless, at this moment when we are asked to be inside the house," he said during his morning Mass video, "so that society will become aware of this reality and help, and the Church welcome them."

During the day's homily, Pope Francis also reflected on Jesus' sacrifice for the world's sins. "We have to get used to looking at the crucifix in this light, which is the truest, it is the light of redemption," he said.

"He carried our sins upon himself," the pope quoted from the first letter of St. Peter. "And when we look at the crucifix, we think of the Lord who suffers: all that is true." 

The crucifixion was torture, "but the truth which comes from God is that He came into the world to take our sins upon himself to the point of becoming sin. All sin. Our sins are there," Pope Francis explained.

"It is not easy to understand this," he concluded. "Just contemplate it, pray, and give thanks."

As the Coronavirus continues to spread throughout the world, if we are able to, we must stay home and stay safe, but our brothers and sisters who are less fortunate must not be forgotten. We must continue lifting the homeless up in our prayers during this pandemic and remember that Jesus became sin so that ours may be forgiven.