Everyone needs a helping hand. In the case of the Pope, the group of men who assist with the audiences, and with other public functions are referred to as the Gentlemen of His Holiness. Today, Pope Francis welcomed the Gentlemen in audience along with members of their families. The meeting took place in the Sala Clementina at the Vatican Apostolic Palace, beginning at 11:45am local time in Rome.
Dear friends,
I greet you all and I want to thank you for your service, which consists of welcoming and accompanying the various personalities who come to meet with the Successor of Peter, and also presenting them during ceremonies and official receptions. Through you, dear Gentlemen, various Authorities and other Personalities who come to visit the See of Peter find their first contact with this House and therefore create their first impressions. As your name implies, you perform your duties with gentleness and kindness, qualities which help to put people at ease. These human qualities find their most authentic roots in a life which is animated by faith and bears witness to evangelical fidelity without any trace of a worldly attitude.
We are now at the end of the Christmas season, during which we have all been touched by the wonder of God who was born among us, a child who appeared in a cave in Bethlehem, by the wonder of the Son of God who for our sake became the Son of Mary, making himself small and fragile. We must be attentive and pray that this inner light not fade, but that we might make it a part of our daily lives. Then in our families and in our professional activities, we will know the joy of our faith which is expressed in charity, kindness and tenderness.
To Mary, the Mother of God and our Mother, I confide all of you and your families. May she accompany you and sustain you. Now I bless you and wish you a serene and productive year. Let us pray for each other!
Address of His Holiness, Pope Francis
to the Gentlemen of His Holiness
Dear friends,
I greet you all and I want to thank you for your service, which consists of welcoming and accompanying the various personalities who come to meet with the Successor of Peter, and also presenting them during ceremonies and official receptions. Through you, dear Gentlemen, various Authorities and other Personalities who come to visit the See of Peter find their first contact with this House and therefore create their first impressions. As your name implies, you perform your duties with gentleness and kindness, qualities which help to put people at ease. These human qualities find their most authentic roots in a life which is animated by faith and bears witness to evangelical fidelity without any trace of a worldly attitude.
We are now at the end of the Christmas season, during which we have all been touched by the wonder of God who was born among us, a child who appeared in a cave in Bethlehem, by the wonder of the Son of God who for our sake became the Son of Mary, making himself small and fragile. We must be attentive and pray that this inner light not fade, but that we might make it a part of our daily lives. Then in our families and in our professional activities, we will know the joy of our faith which is expressed in charity, kindness and tenderness.
To Mary, the Mother of God and our Mother, I confide all of you and your families. May she accompany you and sustain you. Now I bless you and wish you a serene and productive year. Let us pray for each other!
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