The Evangelical Pope | The Victory of Humanity

Each week we let Saint Pope John Paul II share meaningful signposts to spark socio-economic resolves through justice and righteousness combined with mercy and compassion; in short, love.

               4 … The conquering power that brings the world to its knees is our faith.

               __ 1 John 5: 4 (The Message translation)

Auschwitz-Birkenau, Poland – 7 June 1979 | In the place of the terrible devastation of humanity and human dignity, there is the victory of humanity!

               Is simply changing a man's uniform and equipping him with weapons sufficient?

               Is it enough to force him into an ideology where human rights are subordinate to the system's demands, rendering them effectively nonexistent?

I kneel at this modern Golgotha among unnamed tombs, like the Unknown Soldier's. I bow before inscriptions recording the names of Birkenau's victims in many languages: Polish, English, Bulgarian, Romani, Czech, Danish, French, Greek, Hebrew, Yiddish, Spanish, Flemish, Serbo-Croatian, German, Norwegian, Russian, Romanian, Hungarian, and Italian.

               Another meaningful inscription is the Russian plaque.

               We honor their sacrifice [Editor’s note | 27 million Russians sacrificed their lives to free Europe from Nazi terror].

               It's crucial to take a moment to appreciate this inscription and remember their courage.

Auschwitz stands as a stark reminder of war. War invariably leads to heightened hatred, destruction, and cruelty. While it also reveals moments of human courage, heroism, and patriotism, the emphasis remains on the toll of losses. This toll is increasing daily, as modern technology amplifies the destructive potential of weapons.

               Responsibility for war extends beyond those who directly cause it; it also includes those who neglect to prevent it.

We gather here with the hope that every nation and individual is like a brother.

I speak to honor the four million victims and advocate for nations whose rights are overlooked. It’s our duty to uphold truth and a moral call to care for humanity.

I ask all to focus all their efforts on caring for humanity. For those with faith in Jesus Christ, I urge you to pray for peace and reconciliation.

Excerpted from:

APOSTOLIC PILGRIMAGE TO POLAND, HOLY MASS AT THE CONCENTRATION CAMP
HOMILY OF HIS HOLINESS JOHN PAUL II, Auschwitz-Birkenau, 7 June 1979

https://www.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/homilies/1979/documents/hf_jp-ii_hom_19790607_polonia-brzezinka.html