Pope Francis prays for a homeless man from Nigeria who died just a few meters from St. Peter’s Square, reminding journalists of their task of giving first-hand evidence of the truth.
By Devin Watkins
After Pope Francis prayed on the Angelus on Sunday, he paused for a moment to pray for Edwin, a Nigerian homeless man who had died alone in a cold Roman night.
“On January 20, just a few meters from St. Peter’s Square, a Nigerian homeless man named Edwin was found dead due to the cold,” the pope said. “His fate is similar to that of many other homeless people who recently died in Rome under the same dramatic circumstances.”
The pope then invited everyone to pray for Edwin and paused for a few seconds in prayer.
He said 46-year-old Edwin is being ignored by everyone.
“He was also let down by us,” Pope Francis said. “Let us pray for him.”
The pope then remembers a story from the papacy of St. Gregory the Great. When he saw the death of a beggar in the cold, the 6de century the pope ordered that all masses should be suspended for a whole day, ‘for it was just as good Friday.’
Journalists and witnesses
Pope Francis also recalled that Sunday is the feast of Saint Francis de Sales, patron saint of journalists.
He referred to his message for the World Communication Day 2021, which was released on Saturday, under the title “Come and see”.
He said it is an invitation for everyone to communicate by meeting others where and how they are.
“I urge all journalists and communicators to go and look, even if there is no one who wants to go and to testify to the truth,” he said.
Pray for Christian unity
Separately, the pope recalls the conclusion of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, which took place on Monday with Vespers at the Basilica of St. Paul is celebrated outside the walls.
“I invite you all to pray with us spiritually,” he urged.