Pope Sends Prayers For Chicago: 'I Pray That The People Of Your Beautiful City Never Lose Hope'

By Stephen Gossett in News on Apr 4, 2017 6:18PM

Photo: Chris Jackson

As Cardinal Cupich laid out a series of plans to help stem Chicago's bloodshed on Tuesday, the Pope in a letter to the Cardinal granted his blessing and offered prayers for the people of the city who have suffered injustice, discrimination and violence.

"Please convey to the people of Chicago that they have been on my mind and in my prayers," Pope Francis wrote in a letter dated April 4 to the Chicago Cardinal. "I know that many families have lost loved ones to violence. I am close to them, I share in their grief, and pray that they may experience healing and reconciliation through God's grace."

Cupich announced that he will lead a peace march through Englewood on Good Friday—a prayer walk that the pontiff said he would support in spirit from the Vatican as he performs the stations of the cross that day. Pope Francis said he will support Cupich and :those who walk with you and who have suffered violence in the city."

In his letter to Cupich, the Pope eloquently spoke against the discrimination and marginalization of victimized groups in Chicago. He wrote in part:

"Sadly, as you have told me, people of different ethnic, economic, and social backgrounds suffer discrimination, indifference, injustice, and violence today. We must reject this exclusion and isolation, and not think of any group as "others," but rather as our own brothers and sisters. This openness of heart and mind must be taught and nurtured in the homes and in schools."

In addition to the peace march, Cupich unveiled tactile programs and services to help assuage the violence in Chicago's most afflicted neighborhoods. The Archdiocese will launch the Instruments of Peace Venture Philanthropy Fund to bolster new measures and bulk up financing for existing anti-violence programs. That expansion includes job placement programs for people of color, conflict intervention training for former gang members, and a new space in Austin that will provide social services, food and more.

“The causes of the violence we are seeing in our city are complex and deep seated, but I have a strong belief, based on the good will and the many dedicated efforts of our civic and religious leaders, that these causes can be addressed and the suffering can end if we all work together,” said Cupich in a release.

The Pope's comments and the Cardinal's announcement come as Chicago violence is increasingly a major topic of national, even international discussion. Most recently, White House spokesman Sean Spicer said violent crime in the city is "inextricably linked" to undocumented immigration. Cupich in the recent past has elbowed back at the administration's anti-immigrant moves, directing priests last month to not allow immigration agents in churches without a warrant and blasting President Trump's travel ban in January.