Every Wednesday, whenever the general audience is held inside, Pope Francis walks through the central passage of Paul VI Hall. He's accompanied by collaborators and guards, many of whom take care of gifts handed to the Pope. In addition to letters and sweets, he receives plenty of other items. This pilgrim gave the Pope a small statue of Our Lady. It doesn't look like it was easy to bring over.
This week's catechesis focused on the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. It's celebrated every year by Protestants, Orthodox, and Catholics. The Pope began by recalling that all three confessions share the same baptism.
POPE FRANCIS
'This is experience of grace creates an unbreakable bond between the baptized. In a way, we really consider ourselves brothers and sisters and members of only one people of God, capable of announcing the wonders that He has made from simple testimony and fraternal unity.'
The Pope recalled that God displays his mercy through the Sacrament of Baptism. That grace, he added, is much more powerful than what divides Christians today.
POPE FRANCIS
'We ask that all disciples of Christ will find a way of working together to bring the mercy of God to every corner of the planet. The gifts did not stop coming when the audience came to a close. This Argentine bishop gave the Pope a carving of the 'cowboy priest'
