"When everything seems still and stagnant, when social problems do not find the necessary answers, it is not good to give up. Do not let pessimism overcome you."
These are some of the words entrusted to the Sardinian people by Pope Francis – who died today at the age of 88 – who on 22 September 2013, a few months after his election, decided to visit the island and who on the island was welcomed by the infinite embrace of the faithful: thousands followed him on the various stages of his tour in Cagliari and as many as 400 thousand gathered, arriving from all over the region, for the solemn function at the Basilica of Bonaria , concluded by the Holy Father with the touching blessing in limba: «Nostra Signorera 'e Bonaria bos accumpanzet sempre in sa vida».
A visit, that of the Holy Father, which was also an opportunity to bring comfort to the children hospitalized at the Microcitemico hospital and to bless the sick . And, again, to meet workers, laid off workers, shepherds, breeders , asking for all of them to the institutions, with determination, a miner's helmet on their heads: «Work, work, work» .
For Pope Francis, the trip to Sardinia was, in short, an opportunity to anticipate some of the key themes of his pontificate: solidarity, peace, attention to the weak, the fragile, workers and the new generations , the latter invited to always have the "courage to go against the current".
A real crowd bath, in the name of faith, devotion and affection, which gave birth to that special bond between Bergoglio and the Island that has never been interrupted .
A historic visit, sealed by a message to the people of Cagliari and to all the Sardinian people that continues and will continue to resonate in all its power, impossible to forget: "Lord God, look at this city, this Island, look at our families . Lord, you did not lack work: you were a carpenter and you were happy. Lord, we lack work, idols want to steal our dignity, unjust systems want to steal our hope. Lord, do not leave us alone, help us to help each other so that we can forget a little about selfishness and feel in our hearts the "we" of a people who want to move forward".
(Online Union)