Pope Francis

 

Last week Pope Francis passed the Monday after Easter Sunday. It was a great loss to humanity, in my opinion. I felt very sad although I am not catholic. Nonetheless, I praised his decisions and actions. After his burial, I received this message from a friend. It may not have been written by him since people are going nuts over AI, however, it sounds so much like something he would right. Therefore, I would like to post it here to pay tribute to Pope Francis – rest in peace.

Pope Francis wrote this in the Hospital.

“The walls of hospitals have heard more honest prayers than churches...

They have witnessed far more sincere kisses than those in airports...

It is in hospitals that you see a homophobe being saved by a gay doctor.

A privileged doctor saving the life of a beggar...

In intensive care, you see a Jew taking care of a racist...

A police officer and a prisoner in the same room receiving the same care...

A wealthy patient waiting for a liver transplant, ready to receive the organ from a poor donor...

It is in these moments, when the hospital touches the wounds of people, that different worlds intersect according to a divine design. And in this communion of destinies, we realize that alone, we are nothing.

The absolute truth of people, most of the time, only reveals itself in moments of pain or in the real threat of an irreversible loss.

A hospital is a place where human beings remove their masks and show themselves as they truly are, in their purest essence.

This life will pass quickly, so do not waste it fighting with people.

Do not criticize your body too much.

Do not complain excessively.

Do not lose sleep over bills.

Make sure to hug your loved ones.

Do not worry too much about keeping the house spotless.

Material goods must be earned by each person—do not dedicate yourself to accumulating an inheritance.

You are waiting for too much: Christmas, Friday, next year, when you have money, when love arrives, when everything is perfect...

Listen, perfection does not exist.

A human being cannot attain it because we are simply not made to be fulfilled here.

Here, we are given an opportunity to learn.

So, make the most of this trial of life—and do it now.

Respect yourself, respect others. Walk your own path, and let go of the path others have chosen for you.

Respect: do not comment, do not judge, do not interfere.

Love more, forgive more, embrace more, live more intensely!

And leave the rest in the hands of the Creator.”

—Pope Francis

Written: April 28, 2025

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Have you ever been to Fortaleza, Ceará? What about the Book Fair there?

 

    

 

Fortaleza is the state capital of Ceará, located in Northeastern Brazil. It is Brazil's 4th largest city and 12th among cities with the highest gross domestic product. It forms the core of the Fortaleza metropolitan area, which is home to almost four million people. To the north of the city lies the Atlantic Ocean. Residents of the city are known as Fortalezenses. Fortaleza is one of the three leading cities in the Northeast region together with Recife and Salvador. *

The "Bienal do Livro" (Book Fair) in Fortaleza, Brazil, which is the 15th edition, was held from April 4th to 13th, 2025. It's an international event and takes place at the Ceará Events Center, on the ground floor. The Book Fair was free to attend.

The Bienal do Livro in Fortaleza is an important event that celebrates literature and provides a space for authors, publishers, and the public to gather and interact. It features a variety of activities, including book signings, author talks, workshops, and more.

I was honored to have been invited to the Book Fair and launched my children´s book “Bella e Bolinha”, as well as having taken part in the launching of a collective book called “Poe(mar)” in which 52 women were selected to contribute with a poem or short story – Two of my poems were selected.  Twenty of these fifty-two were from the southeast of Brazil, while twenty-two were from the northeast. Just having been selected was a gift, not to mention going there. It all worked out in my favor, for I had time in my hectic schedule to go and spend five special days.

The launches were magical and successful, however, what mattered to me the most was meeting such amazing writers, readers and exchanging experiences. Not to mention that my IG meire_marion_escritora welcomed forty-five new followers from the event. Speaking at the launches to a room filled with people, not enough seats in the house, was incredible and touching. Being in so many pictures was fun although I need the practice in the posing and making faces part of the event. Somehow, I always manage to come out with squinted eyes because my smile is so wide.

 

*Source: Wikepedia

 

Written: April 23, 2025

Foto: Leonardo Albuquerque ( google images)

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