1034 Acta Apostolicae Sedis - Commentarium Officiale

From this perspective of dialogue, I would like to recognize the efforts

made in recent months to help overcome historic differences linked to

painful episodes of the past. It is my duty to build bridges and to help

all men and women, in any way possible, to do the same. When countries

which have been at odds resume the path of dialogue - a dialogue which

may have been interrupted for the most legitimate of reasons - new op-

portunities open up for all. This has required, and requires, courage and

daring, which is not the same as irresponsibility. A good political leader is

one who, with the interests of all in mind, seizes the moment in a spirit of

openness and pragmatism. A good political leader always opts to initiate

processes rather than possessing spaces.12

Being at the service of dialogue and peace also means being truly

determined to minimize and, in the long term, to end the many armed

conflicts throughout our world. Here we have to ask ourselves: Why are

deadly weapons being sold to those who plan to inflict untold suffering

on individuals and society? Sadly, the answer, as we all know, is simply

for money: money that is drenched in blood, often innocent blood. In the

face of this shameful and culpable silence, it is our duty to confront the

problem and to stop the arms trade.

Three sons and a daughter of this land, four individuals and four dreams:

Lincoln, liberty; Martin Luther King, liberty in plurality and non-exclusion;

Dorothy Day, social justice and the rights of persons; and Thomas Merton,

the capacity for dialogue and openness to God.

Four representatives of the American people.

I will end my visit to your country in Philadelphia, where I will take

part in the World Meeting of Families. It is my wish that throughout my

visit the family should be a recurrent theme. How essential the family has

been to the building of this country! And how worthy it remains of our

support and encouragement! Yet I cannot hide my concern for the family,

which is threatened, perhaps as never before, from within and without.

Fundamental relationships are being called into question, as is the very

basis of marriage and the family. I can only reiterate the importance and,

above all, the richness and the beauty of family life.

In particular, I would like to call attention to those family members

who are the most vulnerable, the young. For many of them, a future filled

12 Cf. Evangelii Gaudium, 222-223.