Below is a ZENIT translation of Pope Francis’ off-the-cuff words at the St. Sauveur Refugee Camp in the Central African Republic’s capital of Bangui:
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I greet all of you here.
I tell you that I read what the children had written [on signs], “peace”, “forgiveness”, “unity” and so many things … “love”. We must work and pray and do everything for peace. But peace without love, without friendship, without tolerance, without forgiveness, is not possible. Each of us has to do something. I wish you, to you and to all Central Africans, peace, a great peace among you. May you live in peace regardless of your ethnicity, culture, religion, social status. But everyone in peace! Everyone! Because we are all brothers. I would like for us to say together: “We are all brothers.” [The people repeat: “We are all brothers”] Another time! [“We are all brothers”]. And for this, because we are all brothers, we want peace.
And I give you the Lord’s blessing. May the Lord bless you in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. And pray for me! Pray for me, did you hear? [“Yes!"]
[Original Text: Italian]
[Translation by Deborah Castellano Lubov]
