Pope
Francis insisted church doors must remain open despite security fears
and warnings after ISIS jihadis executed a priest in France.
Islamists Abdel
Malik, along with Adel Kermiche cut the throat of Father Jacques Hamel
at a church in Saint-Etienne-du-Rouvray, Normandy, on Tuesday.
The
pair forced a man in the congregation to video the brutal killing of
the 85-year-old on a phone before he was knifed in the neck, arms and
back next to the altar.
The
execution sparked authorities, including the British Home Office, to
urge religious leaders to tighten up security, but the Pope appeared to
reject the warnings.
Francis
issued the message of defiance as he celebrated a mass in a shrine in
Poland dedicated to the late Polish pope, St John Paul II.
During
mass in Krakow, the Pope said that Jesus wanted his church 'to be a
church on the move, a church that goes out into the world.
'This
call is also addressed to us. How can we fail to hear its echo in the
great appeal of Saint John Paul II: "Open the doors"?'
The Argentine, who devoted the day to
the theme of mercy, arrived early at the imposing Divine Mercy Sanctuary
in Lagiewniki, a district of the southern city. He was greeted by
adoring crowds who cheered him as he went past on foot and in the
Popemobile
Pope Francis insisted church doors
must remain open despite security fears and warnings after ISIS jihadis
executed a priest in France
Nuns react during the arrival of Pope Francis at the Sanctuary of Divine Mercy (Lagiewniki ) in Krakow, Poland
Pope Francis speaks during mass at the Sanctuary of John Paul II during the World Youth Day in Krakow, Poland, today
Francis
also paid tribute to Poland's late pontiff John Paul II as he continued
his tour of the country in Krakow for World Youth Day.
The
Argentine, who devoted the day to the theme of mercy, arrived early at
the imposing Divine Mercy Sanctuary in Lagiewniki, a district of the
southern city. He was greeted by adoring crowds who cheered him as he
went past on foot and in the Popemobile.
Francis
took part in religious celebrations today at sites tied to two saints
cherished in Poland — late pope St. John Paul II and St. Faustina, a
mystic who had been a source of comfort to him.
The
frail, 82-year-old John Paul II consecrated the new basilica during his
last visit to his homeland in 2002, by anointing its white marble altar
and celebrating prayers there. He stressed then his special attachment
to St. Faustina whose accounts of visions of Jesus have led to the
spread of devotion to Divine Mercy.
Today,
nuns and priests, singing and waving little banners, greeted Francis as
he entered the vast church. He then prayed before the chapel of St.
Faustina, where she is buried.
Francis met and blessed children and the infirm who were waiting for him in the church.
Later
he went to the nearby Sanctuary of St. John Paul II, also in the
Lagiewniki district, consecrated in 2013 and dedicated to the late pope
who is still the source of great pride in Poland.
Pope Francis waves as he arrives at
Saint Faustina's chapel at the Sanctuary of Divine Mercy in Lagiewniki
during the World Youth Day in Krakow, Poland
The execution sparked authorities,
including the British Home Office, to urge religious leaders to tighten
up security, but the Pope appeared to reject the warnings
A nun takes photos during the arrival of Pope Francis at the Sanctuary of Divine Mercy (Lagiewniki ) in Krakow, Poland
Pope Francis paid tribute to Poland's
late pontiff John Paul II as he continued his tour of the country in
Krakow for World Youth Day
Francis is taking part in World Youth
Day, a global celebration of hundreds of thousands of young Catholics,
during his five-day visit to Poland
The
lower church houses the relics of John Paul, who died in 2005, while
his body is entombed inside St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican.
The
close proximity of the two major shrines has drawn some surprise
criticism, as it has resulted in crowds splitting up between the two
during ceremonies.
Francis
is taking part in World Youth Day, a global celebration of hundreds of
thousands of young Catholics, during his five-day visit to Poland.
Pope Francis greets faithful as he arrives at the Shrine of Divine Mercy in Krakow on the fourth day of his visit to Poland
Pope Francis walks with nuns as he arrives
at the Shrine of Divine Mercy in Krakow, Poland, as World Youth Day
begins in the country
Pope Francis blesses faithful as he arrives at the Sanctuary of the Divine Mercy in Krakow, Poland, Saturday, July 30, 2016
A nun greets Pope Francis upon his arrival
at the Shrine of Divine Mercy in Krakow, Poland, Saturday, July 30,
2016, on the fourth day of his visit to Poland
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