Pope discusses health, his ditched peace prayer in Fatima and LGBTQ+ Catholics in airborne briefing

Pope Francis discussed various topics during an airborne briefing on his way back from Portugal. He reassured that his recovery from abdominal surgery is progressing well. Regarding his recent trip to Portugal for World Youth Day, he revealed that he spoke without prepared speeches to connect better with young people, not because of tiredness or health issues.

During his trip to Portugal, one significant deviation was his decision not to deliver a prayer for peace at the Fatima shrine, known for its historical connection to peace exhortations and Russia’s conversion after World War I. Given Russia’s involvement in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, this decision could have implications for the Vatican’s relations with Moscow and the Russian Orthodox Church. Instead of publicly pronouncing the peace prayer, Pope Francis prayed silently to the Madonna and later recited a Hail Mary with young disabled individuals.

In response to questions about why he didn’t publicly deliver the peace prayer, the Pope clarified that he did pray for peace but chose not to publicize it. He emphasized the importance of continually praying for peace. There were initial plans for a private visit to Fatima, but the Pope ultimately decided on a proper visit.

Furthermore, Pope Francis mentioned that he cut short his other speeches during the trip because he realized that young people have limited attention spans. He wants to engage them with brief, clear, and loving messages, moving away from lengthy and complicated homilies that can become tedious.

On the topic of inclusivity, Pope Francis reaffirmed his stance that all people, including LGBTQ+ Catholics, are welcome in the Catholic Church. He stressed that the church is a motherly figure, guiding individuals on their unique spiritual paths.

The coverage received support from Big Big News religion, in collaboration with The Conversation US and funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP takes sole responsibility for this content.

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