PILGRIMAGE TO THE HOLY LAND ON THE OCCASION OF THE 50th ANNIVERSARY
OF THE MEETING BETWEEN POPE PAUL VI AND PATRIARCH ATHENAGORAS IN JERUSALEM
(24-26 MAY 2014)

MEETING WITH THE CHILDREN OF THE REFUGEE CAMP OF DHEISHEH,
AIDA AND BEIT JIBRIN

GREETINGS OF POPE FRANCIS

Phoenix Center of the Dheisheh Refugee Camp
Sunday, 25 May 2014

Video

 

Holy Father

First of all, I greet each and every one of you: I wish you good health and I hope that you and your families are well. I am happy to visit you and I can see that your hearts are brimming. May our God, the God of all goodness, grant you all your wishes. I have been told that you want to sing for me. Is that true?

One of the Children

Dear Pope Francis, we are children of Palestine. Our parents have endured occupation for 66 years. We opened our eyes to this occupation and have seen the nakba in the eyes of our grandparents as they left this world. We want to tell the world: enough suffering and humiliation!

Holy Father

Thank you for your songs which were beautiful. You sing very well. I also want to thank you for what you said to me in the name of all. I am grateful for your gift, which is very meaningful. I read what was written on your posters; I understood those written in English, while Father here translated those written in Arabic. I understand what you are telling me, the message you are bringing me. Don’t ever allow the past to determine your lives. Always look to the future, work hard and make efforts to achieve what you want. But you must understand this: violence cannot be overcome by violence. Violence is overcome by peace! By peace, by working with dignity to help your homeland to move forward. My heartfelt thanks for your welcome! I ask God to bless you! And I ask you to pray for me! Thank you!