Today's General Audience began this morning at 9:40am in Saint Peter's Square where the Holy Father met with groups of pilgrims and the faithful from Italy and from every corner of the world.
In his speech, the Pope focused on the theme: Educating to hope.
After having summarized his catechesis in various languages, the Holy Father offered particular greetings to each group of the faithful in attendance.
The General Audience concluded with the chanting of the Pater Noster and the Apostolic blessing.
Dear brothers and sisters, good morning!
Today's catechesis is focused on the theme: Educating to hope. For this reason I will offer it directly, using informal grammar, imagining that I am speaking as an educator, a father speaking to his young child or to any person who is open to learning.
Think about it, where ever God has placed you, there is hope! There is always hope!
Do not surrender at night: remember that the first enemy to undermine your efforts is not outside of you: he is within. Therefore, do not leave any space for bitter, obscure thoughts. This world is the first miracle that God performed, and God has placed into our hands the grace of new prodigies. Faith and hope proceed together. Believe in the existence of higher truths that are more beautiful. Confide in God our Creator, in the Holy Spirit who nudges all things toward good, in the embrace of Christ that awaits every human being at the end of his or her existence; believe, He is waiting. The world continues thanks to the ongoing watchfulness of many men who have opened breaches, who have built bridges, who have dreamed and believed: even when within themselves they heard words of derision.
Never think that the fight you fight down here is completely useless. At the end of time we are not expecting a shipwreck: within us an absolute seed is already growing. God does not deceive: he has placed hope within our hearts, he does not aim to stifle it with frustrations. Everything is born to flower in an eternal Spring. God has also made each of us to bloom. I remember a dialogue, when an oak tree asked an almond tree: Speak to me of God, and the almond tree bore flowers.
Where ever you are, build! If you are lying on the ground, get up! Never remain defeated, get up, allow yourself to be helped if needed so that you can get back on your feet. If you are sitting down, get going! If boredom paralyzes you, get busy with good works! If you feel empty and demoralized, ask the Holy Spirit to fill up your emptiness again.
Peace is at work in the midst of mankind, and do not listen to the voice of those who spread hatred and division. Do not listen to such voices. Human beings, as diverse as we are from one another, are all created to live together. In contrast to this, have patience: one day you will discover that every one of us is a repository of the fragrance of truth.
Love people. Love them one by one. Respect everyone's journey, whether it is linear or troubled, because everyone has the same story to tell. Even every one of us has our own story to tell. Every child that is born is the promise of a life that shows itself to be stronger than death. Every love that arises has the potential for transformation that arouses happiness.
Jesus has given us a light that shines in the darkness: we must defend it, protect it. This light is the greatest treasure entrusted to your life.
And above all, dream! Don't be afraid to dream. Dream! Dream of a world that we cannot yet see, but which will certainly arrive. Hope leads us to believe in the existence of a creation that extends onto its definitive conclusion, when God will be all in all. People who are able to imagine have provided scientific and technological discoveries. They have roamed the oceans, they have reached lands where no one else has ever trodden. People who have cultivated hopes are also those who have triumphed over slavery and brought better living conditions to this land. Think about these people.
Be responsible for this world and for every man's life. Consider that every injustice against a poor person is an open wound, and it dampens your own dignity. Life does not end with your existence; in this world, there will be other generations to come after us, and many others after them. Every day, ask God to grant you the grace of courage. Remember that Jesus has triumphed over fear and we are the benefactors of this triumph. He has triumphed over fear! Our most fearless enemy is powerless when faced with faith. Wen you find yourself fearful in the face of life's difficulties, remember that you do not live only for yourself. In Baptism, your life was already immersed in the mystery of the Trinity and you belong to Jesus. If one day you become scared or you think that evil is too powerful to be overcome, simply remember that Jesus is living within you. It was he, working through you, through your weak efforts, who wishes to subdue all of man's enemies: sin, hatred, crime, violence ... all of our enemies.
Always have the courage of truth, but remember: you are not better than anyone else. Remember this: you are not better than anyone else. If you were to be the last to believe in truth, do not flee from the company of men because of it. Even if you were to live in silence in a hermitage, you still carry within your heart the sufferings of every creature. You are a Christian; therefore give everyhing back to God in prayer.
And cultivate ideals. Live for something that surpasses mankind. If one day these ideals should require you to pay a heavy price, never stop holding them in your heart. Loyalty begets everything.
If you fall, get up: nothing is more human than to commit an error. These same errors should never become a prison for you. Do not be fooled into error. The Son of Man came not for the healthy, but for those who are sick: he came also for you. And if you should fall again in the future, don't worry, get up! Do you know why? Because God is your friend.
If you are bitter, believe firmly in all the people who are still working for good: in their humility lies the seed that will give birth to a new world. Spend time with people who have kept their hearts like those of children. Learn from wonder - it cultivates amazement.
Live, love, dream, believe. And, by the grace of God, never despair.
At the conclusion of the Holy Father's catechesis, his teaching was summarized in various languages, and the Pope offered greetings to each group of the faithful in attendance. To English-speaking pilgrims, he said:
I greet the English-speaking pilgrims and visitors taking part in today’s Audience, particularly the groups from England, Scotland, Ireland, Denmark, Norway, Ghana, Nigeria, Uganda, Australia, India, Indonesia, the Philippines and the United States of America. I offer a particular greeting to the new students of the Venerable English College in Rome, and assure them of my prayers as they begin their studies for the priesthood. I also welcome the physicians and medical professionals meeting in Rome, with prayerful encouragement for their efforts to cherish and defend God’s gift of life in the face of today’s pressing ethical challenges. Upon all of you, and your families, I invoke joy and peace in our Lord Jesus Christ.
During the greetings His Holiness offered to Spanish-speaking pilgrims, he said:
... Yesterday, a terrible earthquake struck Mexico - I see many Mexicans here today among you - leaving numerous victims and much material damage. At this moment of pain, I wish to express my closeness and my prayer to all the beloved Mexican people. Together, let us all raise our prayers to God so that he may welcome home all those who have lost their lives and that he may comfort all those who have been wounded as well as their families and all those who have been effected. Let us also pray for all the people who are engaged in relief efforts who are assisting those who are in need.
May our Mother, the Virgin of Guadalupe, be close to the beloved nation of Mexico with much tenderness.
In his speech, the Pope focused on the theme: Educating to hope.
After having summarized his catechesis in various languages, the Holy Father offered particular greetings to each group of the faithful in attendance.
The General Audience concluded with the chanting of the Pater Noster and the Apostolic blessing.
Catechesis of the Holy Father, Pope Francis
for the General Audience
Dear brothers and sisters, good morning!
Today's catechesis is focused on the theme: Educating to hope. For this reason I will offer it directly, using informal grammar, imagining that I am speaking as an educator, a father speaking to his young child or to any person who is open to learning.
Think about it, where ever God has placed you, there is hope! There is always hope!
Do not surrender at night: remember that the first enemy to undermine your efforts is not outside of you: he is within. Therefore, do not leave any space for bitter, obscure thoughts. This world is the first miracle that God performed, and God has placed into our hands the grace of new prodigies. Faith and hope proceed together. Believe in the existence of higher truths that are more beautiful. Confide in God our Creator, in the Holy Spirit who nudges all things toward good, in the embrace of Christ that awaits every human being at the end of his or her existence; believe, He is waiting. The world continues thanks to the ongoing watchfulness of many men who have opened breaches, who have built bridges, who have dreamed and believed: even when within themselves they heard words of derision.
Never think that the fight you fight down here is completely useless. At the end of time we are not expecting a shipwreck: within us an absolute seed is already growing. God does not deceive: he has placed hope within our hearts, he does not aim to stifle it with frustrations. Everything is born to flower in an eternal Spring. God has also made each of us to bloom. I remember a dialogue, when an oak tree asked an almond tree: Speak to me of God, and the almond tree bore flowers.
Where ever you are, build! If you are lying on the ground, get up! Never remain defeated, get up, allow yourself to be helped if needed so that you can get back on your feet. If you are sitting down, get going! If boredom paralyzes you, get busy with good works! If you feel empty and demoralized, ask the Holy Spirit to fill up your emptiness again.
Peace is at work in the midst of mankind, and do not listen to the voice of those who spread hatred and division. Do not listen to such voices. Human beings, as diverse as we are from one another, are all created to live together. In contrast to this, have patience: one day you will discover that every one of us is a repository of the fragrance of truth.
Love people. Love them one by one. Respect everyone's journey, whether it is linear or troubled, because everyone has the same story to tell. Even every one of us has our own story to tell. Every child that is born is the promise of a life that shows itself to be stronger than death. Every love that arises has the potential for transformation that arouses happiness.
Jesus has given us a light that shines in the darkness: we must defend it, protect it. This light is the greatest treasure entrusted to your life.
And above all, dream! Don't be afraid to dream. Dream! Dream of a world that we cannot yet see, but which will certainly arrive. Hope leads us to believe in the existence of a creation that extends onto its definitive conclusion, when God will be all in all. People who are able to imagine have provided scientific and technological discoveries. They have roamed the oceans, they have reached lands where no one else has ever trodden. People who have cultivated hopes are also those who have triumphed over slavery and brought better living conditions to this land. Think about these people.
Be responsible for this world and for every man's life. Consider that every injustice against a poor person is an open wound, and it dampens your own dignity. Life does not end with your existence; in this world, there will be other generations to come after us, and many others after them. Every day, ask God to grant you the grace of courage. Remember that Jesus has triumphed over fear and we are the benefactors of this triumph. He has triumphed over fear! Our most fearless enemy is powerless when faced with faith. Wen you find yourself fearful in the face of life's difficulties, remember that you do not live only for yourself. In Baptism, your life was already immersed in the mystery of the Trinity and you belong to Jesus. If one day you become scared or you think that evil is too powerful to be overcome, simply remember that Jesus is living within you. It was he, working through you, through your weak efforts, who wishes to subdue all of man's enemies: sin, hatred, crime, violence ... all of our enemies.
Always have the courage of truth, but remember: you are not better than anyone else. Remember this: you are not better than anyone else. If you were to be the last to believe in truth, do not flee from the company of men because of it. Even if you were to live in silence in a hermitage, you still carry within your heart the sufferings of every creature. You are a Christian; therefore give everyhing back to God in prayer.
And cultivate ideals. Live for something that surpasses mankind. If one day these ideals should require you to pay a heavy price, never stop holding them in your heart. Loyalty begets everything.
If you fall, get up: nothing is more human than to commit an error. These same errors should never become a prison for you. Do not be fooled into error. The Son of Man came not for the healthy, but for those who are sick: he came also for you. And if you should fall again in the future, don't worry, get up! Do you know why? Because God is your friend.
If you are bitter, believe firmly in all the people who are still working for good: in their humility lies the seed that will give birth to a new world. Spend time with people who have kept their hearts like those of children. Learn from wonder - it cultivates amazement.
Live, love, dream, believe. And, by the grace of God, never despair.
At the conclusion of the Holy Father's catechesis, his teaching was summarized in various languages, and the Pope offered greetings to each group of the faithful in attendance. To English-speaking pilgrims, he said:
I greet the English-speaking pilgrims and visitors taking part in today’s Audience, particularly the groups from England, Scotland, Ireland, Denmark, Norway, Ghana, Nigeria, Uganda, Australia, India, Indonesia, the Philippines and the United States of America. I offer a particular greeting to the new students of the Venerable English College in Rome, and assure them of my prayers as they begin their studies for the priesthood. I also welcome the physicians and medical professionals meeting in Rome, with prayerful encouragement for their efforts to cherish and defend God’s gift of life in the face of today’s pressing ethical challenges. Upon all of you, and your families, I invoke joy and peace in our Lord Jesus Christ.
During the greetings His Holiness offered to Spanish-speaking pilgrims, he said:
... Yesterday, a terrible earthquake struck Mexico - I see many Mexicans here today among you - leaving numerous victims and much material damage. At this moment of pain, I wish to express my closeness and my prayer to all the beloved Mexican people. Together, let us all raise our prayers to God so that he may welcome home all those who have lost their lives and that he may comfort all those who have been wounded as well as their families and all those who have been effected. Let us also pray for all the people who are engaged in relief efforts who are assisting those who are in need.
May our Mother, the Virgin of Guadalupe, be close to the beloved nation of Mexico with much tenderness.
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