Pope sends videomessage to Social Doctrine Festival

By Vatican News

Pope Francis sent a video message on Thursday to participants in the 9^th Festival of the Social Doctrine of the Church, taking place in the Italian city of Verona from 21 to 24 November.

The Pope said the theme of the festival, focusing on “Presence” invites us to never shy away from looking reality in the eye and being close to those who are marginalized and alone.

“Presence is not a theory,” he said, “it is something concrete that is expressed through sharing, accompaniment or simply by being close to someone.”

He called on all people of goodwill to do their part in helping to weave a social fabric in which all members of society “are important: the sick, the poor, children, the elderly, workers, professionals, entrepreneurs, those who are learned and those who are not.”