Pope Francis: God is supreme

Catholics, by virtue of their baptism, must affirm to the world the primacy of God in human life and in history, Pope Francis said on Sunday.

In his weekly address to the Angelus on October 18, the pope explained that “paying taxes is a duty of citizens, as is respect for the just laws of the state. At the same time, it is necessary to affirm the primacy of God in human life and in history, respecting the right of God over all that belongs to him “.

"Hence the mission of the Church and Christians", he said, "to speak of God and to witness him to the men and women of our time".

Before guiding the pilgrims in the recitation of the Angelus in Latin, Pope Francis reflected on the reading of the Gospel of the day from St. Matthew.

In the passage, the Pharisees try to trap Jesus in speaking by asking him what he thinks of the lawfulness of paying the census tax to Caesar.

Jesus replied: “Why are you testing me, you hypocrites? Show me the coin that pays the census tax “. When they gave him the Roman coin with the image of the emperor Caesar, “then Jesus replied: 'Pay back to Caesar the things that belong to Caesar, and to God the things that belong to God'”, Pope Francis said.

In his response, Jesus “acknowledges that the tax to Caesar must be paid”, the pope said, “because the image on the coin is his; but above all remember that every person carries within himself another image - we carry it in our heart, in our soul - that of God, and therefore it is to him, and to him alone, that each person owes his existence, his life. "

Jesus' line provides "clear guidelines", he said, "for the mission of all believers of all times, even for us today", explaining that "all, through baptism, are called to be a living presence in the society, inspiring it with the Gospel and with the lifeblood of the Holy Spirit “.

This requires humility and courage, he noted; a commitment to build "the civilization of love, where justice and fraternity reign".

Pope Francis concluded his message by praying that the Most Holy Mary will help everyone “to escape from all hypocrisy and to be honest and constructive citizens. And may he support us as disciples of Christ in the mission of bearing witness that God is the center and meaning of life “.

After the Angelus prayer, the Pope recalled the celebration of World Mission Day by the Church. This year's theme, he said, is “Here I am, send me”.

“Weavers of fraternity: this word 'weavers' is beautiful”, he said. "Every Christian is called to be a weaver of fraternity".

Francis asked everyone to support the priests, religious and lay missionaries of the Church, "who sow the Gospel in the great field of the world".

“We pray for them and give them our concrete support,” he said, adding his gratitude to God for the release of Fr. Pierluigi Maccalli, an Italian Catholic priest kidnapped by a jihadist group in Niger two years ago.

The pope asked for an applause to greet Fr. Macalli and for prayers for all the kidnapped in the world.

Pope Francis also encouraged a group of Italian fishermen, detained in Libya since the beginning of September, and their families. The two fishing boats, from Sicily and made up of 12 Italians and six Tunisians, have been detained in the North African country for over a month and a half.

A Libyan warlord, General Khalifa Haftar, allegedly said he will not release the fishermen until Italy releases four Libyan footballers convicted of human trafficking.

The pope asked for a moment of silent prayer for fishermen and for Libya. He also said he is praying for the ongoing international discussions on the situation.

He urged the people involved "to stop all forms of hostility, promoting a dialogue that leads to peace, stability and unity in the country".