Pope Francis' General Audience was streamed once again from the Apostolic Palace library. The pope reflected on the fifth beatitude, which focuses on mercy.
POPE FRANCIS
Each person must remember the need to forgive, the need for forgiveness and the need for patience. This is the secret of mercy: by forgiving one is forgiven.
He asked Christians to entrust themselves to St. Joseph, whose feast day is March 19.
POPE FRANCIS
Tomorrow we will celebrate the solemnity of St. Joseph. In life, in work, in the family, in joy, in pain, he always searched for, and loved, the Lord. That's why in Scripture, he is called a righteous and wise man. Invoke him always with faith, especially in difficult moments. Entrust to this great saint your existence.
The pope also reminded the faithful of the upcoming “24 Hours for the Lord,” an occasion each Lent to ask for God's mercy. This year it will take place on March 20-21. He asked those who can't join in the usual ways, because of the quarantines, to observe the tradition through personal prayer.
POPE FRANCIS
I encourage the faithful to approach, in a sincere way, the mercy of God, through confession, and to pray especially for those who are being put to the test because of the pandemic.
The pope also invited all Christians to join in a worldwide praying of the rosary, on March 19, at 9 p.m. Rome time. The moment of spiritual unity was proposed by Italian bishops.
CT
