The pope was welcomed to the General Audience with a group of school children singing this song. They remembered the three keys to a happy family life that Pope Francis teaches: to ask each other “May I?” and to say “thank you” and “I'm sorry.”
Pope Francis' walk through the Paul VI Audience Hall produced some memorable moments.
He signed the doctoral thesis of a priest from India.
He blessed the baby of a pregnant woman.
He also affectionately greeted this child to whom he gave a rosary.
Afterward, the pope resumed his catechesis on the “Our Father.” He explained that this prayer holds the key to having a sincere relationship with God since He knows the person better than anyone else.
POPE FRANCIS
“It's impossible. Before God there is no covering up. God knows our conscience exactly as it is. You cannot pretend.”
The pope spoke about how the “Our Father” helps fortify a relationship with God. This is the place where every Christian has a personal encounter with Him. It is a casual dialogue where eloquence is not necessary.
POPE FRANCIS
“God and man lock eyes. This is prayer. Seeing God and letting Him see you. This is prayer. 'But Father, I do not say anything.' Look at God and let yourself be seen by Him. This is a beautiful prayer.”
The pope reminded the pilgrims that the Christian relationship to God should not be individualistic. He challenged pilgrims with this question: What word does not appear in the “Our Father?”
POPE FRANCIS
“What word is missing from the Lord's Prayer which we pray every day? The word 'I' is missing. Once a prison chaplain asked me a question, 'Tell me, father, what is the opposite word to 'I'? I naively said to him, 'You'. 'No, that's the beginning of the war. The word contrary to the 'I' is 'we.' where there is peace, togetherness.' I received a beautiful lesson from that priest.”
As usual, the pope concluded his catechesis by greeting newlyweds and the sick. His final blessing was given while wearing a special stole: one made by indigenous women.
