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Reflection by Pope Leo XIV "Notwithstanding the tragic situation before our eyes, peace remains a difficult yet realistic good. As Augustine reminds us, peace is “the aim of our good,” because it is the very aim of the city of God, to which we aspire, even unconsciously, and of...

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Pope Leo XIV gave a powerful reflection in Spanish, a language he treats as his own, on ... power today in Equatorial Guinea's Malabo. Addressing the president of the nation -- who has held his office since August 3, 1979, gained power in a coup, and is the world's longest-serving ruler, often accused of nepotism -- Pope Leo reflected on St. Augustine's classic opus "The City of God." In it, St. Augustine describes two symbolic “cities” that exist side by side in history: one focused on self-love and worldly success, and the other on love of God and lasting peace. "You know that Saint Augustine interpreted events and history according to the model of two cities: the 'city of God,' eternal and characterized by God’s unconditional love (amor Dei), as well as love for one’s neighbor, especially the poor; and the 'earthly city,' which is a temporary dwelling place, where men and women live until death," Pope Leo said. "From this perspective, the two cities coexist until the end of time, and every human being, through the decisions he or she manifests day by day, belongs to one or the other of them." Malabo is a former capital of the country as officially the president changed its capital city from Malabo to Ciudad de la Paz, in Djibloho province, this January. "You have chosen to give it a name that seems to echo the biblical city of Jerusalem, Ciudad de la Paz," the pope said. "May such a decision prompt every person to ask themselves which city they wish to serve!" the pope continued, to big applause of those gathered in the presidential palace. Noting he already said that once to Diplomatic Corps accredited to the Holy See in January, Pope Leo reminded that "the earthly city is centered upon the proud love of self (amor sui), on the lust for power and worldly glory that leads to destruction" while, by contrast, "Augustine holds that Christians are called by God to dwell in the earthly city while keeping their hearts and minds turned toward the heavenly city, their true homeland." "Every human being can benefit from the ancient realization of living on earth as a pilgrim. It is essential to discern the difference between that which lasts and that which passes, remaining free from the pursuit of unjust wealth and the illusion of dominion," Pope Leo said, reminding what he said in January's address: that “Christians living in the earthly city are not strangers to the political world, and, guided by the Scriptures, seek to apply Christian ethics to civil government." Reflecting on Pope Francis' past plea, he warned against the "economy of exclusion" - "Such an economy kills," Pope Francis said in Evangelii Gaudium. "In fact, it is even more evident today than in years past that the proliferation of armed conflicts is often driven by the exploitation of oil and mineral deposits, occurring with no regard for international law or the self-determination of peoples," Pope Leo said. Despite having one of the highest GDP per capita rates in Africa, Equatorial Guinea experiences high levels of poverty and instead of widespread prosperity -- vast natural wealth -- primarily oil and gas -- has fueled extreme wealth disparity, corruption, and systemic human rights abuses. "The destiny of humanity risks being tragically compromised without a change of direction in the assumption of political responsibility and without respect for institutions and international agreements." Pope Leo said. "God does not want this," he cried out. "His holy Name must not be profaned by the will to dominate, by arrogance or by discrimination; above all, it must never be invoked to justify choices and actions of death." "In a world wounded by arrogance, people hunger and thirst for justice," Pope Leo emphasized, encouraging the authorities: "Mr. President, ladies and gentlemen, let us walk together, with wisdom and hope, towards the city of God, which is the city of peace." Video: Vatican Media

Paulina Guzik

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