It’s often when the Holy Father speaks off-the-cuff that his words have the most impact.
That was the case today when he gave a reflection on the first General Congregation of the Synod for the Middle East and spoke out strongly against terrorist ideologies. The Pope warned those who follow such beliefs that they are not fighting in the name of God but a false god which must ultimately fall. He said the same of those who impose a false idea of marriage and other destructive powers, ones based on “false divinities that must be unmasked.” .
Violence in the name of God is a key concern of the Synod Fathers who say that it is on the rise in Middle East, causing many of the region’s problems.
Another clip of the Pope’s improvised remarks can be found here, while Sandro Magister has a full translation of his reflection.
Full daily summaries of the Synod which runs until Oct. 24 can be found on the blog of the Vatican Information Service.