Baturi presides over First Vespers for 800th anniversary of San Francesco's death

Giuseppe Baturi, the Archbishop of Cagliari and Secretary General of the Italian Episcopal Conference, presided over the First Vespers at the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli to mark the 800th anniversary of the death of St. Francis.

During his homily, Baturi stated that modern culture often hides, removes, or treats death as a problem to be solved. He noted that faith must confront the mystery of death to reveal the meaning of life, citing how St. Francis referred to death as a sister rather than fleeing from it. Baturi said the Church should offer a presence by staying alongside those who suffer without rushing to resolve the situation.

Baturi described the mission of the Church today as being built on proximity, protection, and care, following the example of St. Francis. He suggested that in a world focused on utility, the way St. Francis approached life and death serves as a prophecy.