Madam Director,
Dear brothers and sisters,

Peace to this house and to all who live here!

I warmly thank you for your faith-filled welcome, which touched my heart. It is a great comfort to me as I carry out my mission. Thank you!

It struck me to learn that you call this place “lar,” which means “home.” I thank God for this, and I hope that all of you are truly able to live here in a family atmosphere as much as possible.

Jesus loved to be at the home of his friends. The Gospels tell us that he went to the house of Peter in Capernaum, where one day he healed Peter’s mother in law. They remind us of his friendship with Maria, Martha and Lazarus: in their home in Bethany, he was welcomed as Master and Lord and at the same time with familiarity.

Therefore, dear friends, I would like to think that Jesus also lives here, in this home. Yes, he dwells among you whenever you try to love one another and help one another as brothers and sisters. When you forgive each other and seek reconciliation after a misunderstanding or a small offense, he is here among you. When all of you, or even some of you, pray together with simplicity and humility, he is here among you.

I express my appreciation to the Angolan authorities for the initiatives that benefit the neediest among the elderly, as well as to all staff members and the volunteers. The care of the weakest is a very important sign of the quality of the social life of a nation. Let us not forget that the elderly are not only in need of assistance, but first and foremost need to be listened to, because they preserve the wisdom of a people.

Dear brothers and sisters, I will keep in my heart the memory of this encounter with you. May the Virgin Mary, who filled her home in Nazareth with faith and love, always keep watch over this community. I bless all of you. Thank you!