The weekly General Audiences have returned to the Apostolic Palace Library. Pope Francis reminded the faithful that political and health officials' anti-Covid measures must be respected.
POPE FRANCIS
Let us offer up to the Lord this distance between us, for the good of all, and let us think about the sick, those who arrive [to the hospital] already as discarded people. Let us think about doctors, nurses, volunteers, all the people working with the sick in this moment. They risk their lives, but they do it out of love, for their vocation; love for others. Let us pray for them. Thank you.
In his catechesis, he continued his reflection on the theme of Jesus' prayer. He pointed out Jesus' constant search for places of solitude to dedicate Himself to prayer, even during the most successful moments of His preaching.
POPE FRANCIS
Prayer is the wheel that guides Jesus' path. The stages of His mission are dictated not by success, not by consensus, not that seductive phrase, 'Everyone's looking for you.'
The pope noted some of the characteristics of Jesus' prayer. He underlined that of looking for places of solitude to cultivate one's inner self and better handle anxiety and life's problems.
POPE FRANCIS
Without interior life, we become superficial, agitated, anxious. Anxiety does us so much harm. That's why we must turn to prayer. Without interior life, we flee from reality, and we also flee from ourselves.
During his greeting to the Polish-speaking faithful following the audience online, the pope praised the prayer initiative “Rosary to the Gates of Heaven.” Pope Francis said he hopes the project will help heal the wounds caused by the loss of unborn babies; and contribute to the forgiveness of sins and reconciliation.
Lastly, he didn't forget the recent terrorist attacks in France and Austria, which he described as “deplorable.'
Javier Romero
Translation: CT
