Sunday, December 22, 2013

Pope supports homeless; addresses protesters directly

Pope urges Italy to find houses for all families

Pope urges anti-austerity protesters during weekly blessing to seek dialogue, not violence

Associated Press
           

    Pope urges Italy to find houses for all families
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    Pope Francis, framed by a Christmas tree, delivers his message to the faithful gathered in St. Peter Square


      VATICAN CITY (AP) -- Pope Francis urged anti-austerity protesters who attended his weekly Angelus blessing to use dialogue and not violence to press their demands.
      Addressing a group of protesters among the pilgrims gathered Sunday in St. Peter's Square, the pope appealed for "a constructive contribution, rejecting the temptation for conflict and violence and following always the path of dialogue."
      The pope read aloud one of their banners: "The poor cannot wait." He urged everyone from charities to Italian authorities "to do everything possible so that every family can have a house" this holiday season.
      Protests aimed at impressing upon Italian leaders the pain inflicted on ordinary people by the country's economic crisis have been under way across the country for two weeks. Some of them have erupted into violence.

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