The Pope arrived in St. Peter's Square a few minutes ahead of schedule. With the aid of his bodyguards, he was able to get close to many children while on the Popemobile to bless them.
It is not an easy task to coordinate, and near the end of the course, a brief halt gave the Pope a scare.
During the catechesis, the Pope meditated on the Gospel parable of the prayer of the Pharisee and the publican. While the publican asks God for help, the Pharisee thanks him because he has do not have as many flaws as others. He does everything correctly, but forget the most important commandment: love for God and the neighbor.
POPE FRANCIS
'We are all immersed in the frenetic daily rhythm, often at the mercy of dazed and confused feelings. We must learn to rediscover the path to our hearts, retrieve the value of privacy and silence, because there God meets us and speaks to us. Only from there we can find others and talk.â?
The Pope explained that the Pharisee represents those who act properly, but their prayer consist of preening themselves before a mirror.
Pope Francis suggested that the Pharisee's prayer be repeated three times because pride destroys good deeds.
POPE FRANCIS
'O God, have mercy on me, a sinner! Three times: O God, have mercy on me, a sinner! Oh God, have mercy on me, a sinner! Oh God, have mercy on me, a sinner!â?
For Pope Francis, God has a soft spot for the poor, and therefore, he has always opened his heart to them.
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