Richard Allen

My arrival in #Argentina is personally meaningful. For years, the universal Church listened to the voice of Pope Francis, who treasured, in his memories and in his heart, the places, the people, and the faith that he received here. #ApostolicJourney

Although Uruguay is a relatively small country, its people have generous hearts and are capable of great things. That has become evident over these past few days. I carry you in my heart and I ask that you continue to accompany me with your prayers. Thank you very much, #Uruguay! #ApostolicJourney

When being just and honest comes at a price, pay it. When forgiving seems like a defeat, forgive. When everyone tells you to think of yourselves first, do not be afraid to put yourselves in the last place. Be willing to give up time, money, comfort and plans to serve others. May those who see you find themselves asking: “Why do they live in this way? Where do they get this freedom? Why do they love one another so much?” #ApostolicJourney #Uruguay

I would also like to address fathers and grandfathers. Young people need to see that you pray, receive the sacraments, treat your wives with respect, ask for forgiveness and live with integrity, even when doing so requires sacrifice. Children learn a great deal by seeing that their father can kneel before God without feeling that he is any less of a man for doing it.

Mothers and grandmothers: never tire of passing on the faith! Preach with your lives as well as with your words. Insist on prayer, love, and hope. Do so with patience, without discouragement. Even if your loved ones seem far from God, continue to place them before him. There are doors that you cannot open, but God can. #ApostolicJourney #Uruguay

We cannot turn a blind eye to the fact that there are children who do not go to school. We cannot silence our conscience when we see a mother lacking the means to feed her children. We cannot ignore the many people around us who are suffering, alone and vulnerable. We need to commit ourselves to the charity and closeness of the Good Samaritan who did not remain indifferent upon seeing misfortune, but took responsibility for his brother’s life. (Lk 10:29-37) #ApostolicJourney #Uruguay

I encourage you to carry forward the mission of evangelization with enthusiasm. Be bridges, so that many may encounter Jesus. Be a fraternal community that comes together and shares life, projects, dreams and hopes, especially with those most in need. Be a community of prayer that maintains an ongoing dialogue with the Lord as a friend speaks to a friend (Jn 15:15). Christ is counting on all of you! Christ is counting on you! #ApostolicJourney #Uruguay vatican.va/content/leo-xiv/e…

Our likeness to Christ also matures in the midst of difficulties, such as when work seems fruitless, when our strength wanes or when we must start anew. Eventually endurance leaves its mark. Over the years, a gaze can become more merciful, hands more willing to serve and words more capable of comforting. May trials always find us united to Jesus, so that they may help us to grow in His love. #ApostolicJourney #Uruguay

We already know many of the ethical principles that should guide the development of artificial intelligence. What we currently need are effective international institutions that can safeguard the global common good. This calls for shared standards, independent oversight, and clear mechanisms of accountability, so that decisions concerning the development and use of AI can be examined, challenged when necessary, and accompanied by appropriate remedies for any harm caused.

Intelligent technologies must be directed toward the common good. They must never become ends in themselves or serve merely the interests of a privileged few. Rather, their development should foster solidarity and participation at various levels of the global community, ensuring that the benefits of progress are shared equitably, especially with those most in need.

Decisions affecting human life, freedom, and the use of force must always remain subject to effective, informed, and responsible human oversight. For this reason, artificial intelligence must be “disarmed”, and I encourage the States meeting in Geneva in November to take concrete steps toward banning lethal autonomous weapons.

Holiness is not a privilege reserved for a few, but a universal vocation that speaks to each of us where we live. This is the hope-filled message of today’s feast: God sees the good that we do not see, knows stories that we do not know, and reaches hearts to which we have no access.

When we pray for the dead, we do so not only for them, but also with them, drawn into a reciprocal relationship that the Holy Spirit brings to life in our hearts. The Church is a mystery of communion between Christ, our head, and us, His members: from Him we receive life. This communion unites the blessed souls who already contemplate the face of God and all those who, in heaven or on earth, are journeying toward the radiant destination.