With over 30,000 pilgrims attending today's General Audience, Pope Francis continued his catechetical series on the Church as a mother, highlighting its works of mercy.
The Pope said that the Church, like Jesus, teaches us by example and not by mere words or philosophies.
POPE FRANCIS
'The Mother Church teaches us to give food and drink to those who are hungry and thirsty, to clothe those who are naked. And how does it do it? By the example of so many saints who have done this in an exemplary way. But also, by the example of so many fathers and mothers, who teach their children that what is leftover to us if for those who are needy.â?
He also said that the Church teaches us not only to be close to those who are imprisoned, but to not judge them as well.
POPE FRANCIS
'The Mother Church teaches us to be close to those who are imprisoned. 'But Father, no, this is dangerous. They are bad people!' But each one of us is capable of the same. Listen well: Each one of us is capable of doing the same thing that man or that woman in prison has done! We all have the ability to sin and to do the same! To make mistakes in life. They are not worse than you or me.â?
Citing the example of Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta, the Pope said the Church also teaches us to care for the sick and dying.
POPE FRANCIS
'Even here, mercy gives peace to those departed and those who stay, making them feel that God is greater than death, and that remaining in Him, even the final moment is a 'see you later'. Blessed Teresa understood this very well.â?
Pope Francis concluded that the Church has learned the path of mercy through Jesus and that to change the world, we must be good to others as Christ was to us.
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