Acta Francisci Pp. 693

rights, their security and their comprehensive needs. At the same time, it

is necessary to preserve freedom and the social and cultural identity of

peoples; without this leading to instances of isolation, it should also favour

cooperation, dialogue, and especially peace.

"Leaving no one behind" and "doing one's very best" demands that

we do not give up and that we take responsibility for our decisions and

actions regarding the victims themselves. First of all, we must do this in a

personal way, and then together, coordinating our strengths and initiatives,

with mutual respect for our various skills and areas of expertise, not dis-

criminating but rather welcoming. In other words: there must be no family

without a home, no refugee without a welcome, no person without dignity, no

wounded person without care, no child without a childhood, no young man

or woman without a future, no elderly person without a dignified old age.

May this also be the occasion to recognize the work of those who serve

their neighbour and contribute to consoling the sufferings of the victims of

war and calamity, of the displaced and refugees, and who care for society,

particularly through courageous choices in favour of peace, respect, healing

and forgiveness. This is the way in which human lives are saved.

No one loves a concept, no one loves an idea; we love persons. Self-sac-

rifice, true self-giving, flows from love towards men and women, the chil-

dren and elderly, peoples and communities… faces, those faces and names

which fill our hearts.

Today I offer a challenge to this Summit: let us hear the cry of the victims

and those suffering. Let us allow them to teach us a lesson in humanity.

Let us change our ways of life, politics, economic choices, behaviours and

attitudes of cultural superiority.

Learning from victims and those who suffer, we will be able to build a

more humane world.

I assure you my prayers, and I invoke upon all present the divine

blessings of wisdom, strength and peace.

From the Vatican, 21 May 2016

FRANCISCUS PP.