The microphone didn't seem to be working, so the pope made sure to check that his voice could be heard in the square.
“Good morning.”
After these initial technical difficulties, Pope Francis gave his catechesis before praying the Angelus. He invited the faithful not to be afraid to place themselves completely in God's hands.
POPE FRANCIS
“When we have strong feelings of doubt, and fear seems to drown us, in life's difficult moments, where everything becomes dark, we must not be ashamed to cry out like Peter, 'Lord, save me!' To knock on God's heart, on Jesus' heart. 'Lord, save me!' It's a beautiful prayer.”
After praying the Angelus, Pope Francis recalled the tragedies afflicting the world, both in the past and present. He first recalled that on Aug. 9, 1945, the second atomic bomb was dropped, on Nagasaki. In November of last year, the pope visited ground zero of that catastrophic event.
POPE FRANCIS
“I remember, with emotion and gratitude, my visit to those places last year. I renew the invitation to pray and commit to a world completely free of nuclear weapons.”
With regard to present-day tragedies, the pope made it clear that he hasn't forgotten Lebanon.
POPE FRANCIS
“I renew the appeal for generous aid on the part of the international community. Please, I ask the bishops, religious and priests of Lebanon to be close to the people and to live a style of life marked by evangelical poverty, without luxury, because your people are suffering, suffering a lot.”
Pope Francis sent the country an initial donation of about $294,000 to help all those affected by the explosions that destroyed part of the city of Beirut.
