Although he was unable to address the crowd himself, Pope Francis' planned speech for his General Audience continued his catechesis on apostolic zeal. It refelected on his apostolic exhortation Evangelii Gaudium, just one week after the 10 year anniversary of its publication.
The message assured the pilgrims present to not be discouraged by today's world, but rather see it as an opportunity for joy and transformation.
SUMMARY OF POPE'S CATECHESIS IN ENGLISH:
Dear brothers and sisters:
In our continuing catechesis on apostolic zeal, we are reflecting on the Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Gaudium and its summons to proclaim “the joy of the Gospel” in the here and now of this, our present age. We can easily grow discouraged in these times when God seems to have no place and the deepest desires of the human heart often appear to be stifled by an obsession with money and power.
Yet, Saint Paul reminds us that in God’s plan, this is the favourable time, the day of salvation. Apostolic zeal, thus, impels us, who have known the transforming grace of God’s word and the joy of the Gospel, to find new ways to bring that treasure to the places where we live, study and work, and to embody with our lives, especially through respect, compassion, and the gentleness of our words, the love of Jesus for every individual.
May we, through our daily encounters, become witnesses of hope and bearers of the Gospel, who inspire all we meet to open wide the door to the One who alone can give joy and peace today and always.
I extend a warm welcome to the English-speaking pilgrims, especially those coming from Australia, Malaysia and the Philippines. I pray that each of you and your families may experience a blessed Advent, which will begin this Sunday, in preparation for the coming, at Christmas, of the newborn Jesus, Son of God and Prince of Peace. God bless you!
