Pope Francis Prays for Lives Lost on Mediterranean Coast

Tags: Currents Catholic Church, Catholic Community, Catholics, Faith, migrants, Migration, Pope, Pope Francis, World News

Currents News Staff

In the Sunday Angelus, on July 28 Pope Francis commented on what the United Nations called “the worst loss of life this year in the Mediterranean.”

The engine of a boat containing roughly 300 migrants failed before the vessel capsized on July 25, just off the coast of Libya. An estimated 150 are assumed dead.

“I renew a heartfelt appeal so the international community acts promptly and decisively, to avoid the repetition of similar tragedies and guarantee the safety and dignity of everyone,” said Pope Francis.

“I invite you to pray with me for the victims and their families, and ask the heartfelt question: ‘Father, why?’”

This question was also tied in to his reflection on the Our Father. The Holy Father explained how this prayer allows one to call on God like a curious child asking for answers from his or her father.

“In the Our Father, if we stop at the first word, we do the same as when we were children- we attract the Father’s gaze on us,” he explained.

“By saying, “Father, Father”, and by asking, “Why?” He will look at us,” Pope Francis added.

He explained that these questions help form the intimate Father-son relationship that Christ desires with each of his children. In the same way, it spurred the disciples to ask Jesus how to pray, which resulted in the Our Father.