Pope Francis prays for a homeless man from Nigeria who died just a few meters from St. Peter’s Square, reminding journalists of their duty to witness firsthand to the truth.
By Devin Watkins
After praying to Angelus on Sunday, Pope Francis paused to pray for Edwin, a Nigerian homeless man left alone to die on a cold Roman night.
“On January 20, just a few meters from St. Peter’s Square, a Nigerian homeless person named Edwin was found dead from the cold,” the Pope said. “His condition is comparable to that of many other homeless people who have recently died in Rome under the same dramatic circumstances.”
The Pope then invited everyone to pray for Edwin and paused in prayer for a few seconds.
He said 46-year-old Edwin was ignored by everyone.
“He was also abandoned by us,” said Pope Francis. “Let’s pray for him.”
The Pope then recalled a story from the papacy of St. Gregory the Great. When he witnessed the death of a beggar in the cold, the 6th century Pope ordered that all masses be suspended for a whole day, “because it was like 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 post for World Communication Day 2021, released Saturday under the title “Come and see”.
He said it is an invitation for everyone to communicate by meeting others where and as they are.
“I urge all journalists and communicators to go and see, even if no one wants to go, and testify to the truth,” he said.
Pray for Christian unity
Separately, the Pope recalled the conclusion of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, which will be celebrated on Monday with Vespers in the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls.
“I invite all of you to pray with us spiritually,” he urged.