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Francis in Romania
People wait for the start of Pope Francis' celebration of Mass June 1, 2019, at the Marian shrine of Sumuleu Ciuc in Miercurea Ciuc, Romania. (CNS/Paul Haring)
Pope Francis traveled to Romania May 31-June 2, 2019.
"Tradition is the guarantee of the future and not the container of the ashes," Pope Francis said aboard the flight back to Rome after his three-day visit to Romania.
Blaj, Romania - At a June 2 Eastern rite liturgy attended by 60,000, Pope Francis honored Romanian Catholics who were persecuted by the country's communist-era authorities.
Tens of thousands of Romanians converged to celebrate Mass with Pope Francis June 1. Francis urged that they not listen to people wanting to "provoke division" among them, but instead "live together as brothers and sisters."
Pope Francis expressed hope May 31 that the Catholic and Romanian Orthodox churches will work more closely together in the future. Catholics and Orthodox, said the pope, are meant to work together, especially in matters of charity and service to others.
