This Wednesday Pope Francis held a general audience with pilgrims in-attendance for the first time in almost 7 months.
His last Audience with pilgrims was held on October 28.
Pope Francis wasn't wearing a mask, but he stopped to talk to people while keeping his distance.
These children from Switzerland gave him a drawing of their family. The Pope joked with them saying that they needed to add a little sister to complete the picture.
This pilgrim told the Pope about a difficult situation he faced, and could not contain his emotion.
During his catechesis, the Pope expressed his joy in resuming his meetings with the people.
POPE FRANCIS
I am happy to resume these encounters, face to face. Because I tell you one thing... It's not pleasant to speak there alone, in front of a camera.
Thank you for being here, and for the visit. Share the Pope's message with everyone. And the Pope's message is that I pray for everyone and I ask you to pray for me, united in prayer.
During the Audience, Pope Francis continued his catechesis on prayer, explaining that prayer is not easy, but that it is essential. He compared the experience of praying to a spiritual combat.
POPE FRANCIS
Yes, sometimes we ask for a grace that we need, but we ask for it like nothing, as if without desire, without fighting. That's not the way to ask for important things. Prayer is a struggle, but the Lord is always with us.
The Pope also noted that prayer always yields results, even if they are not what is expected.
POPE FRANCIS
Prayer works miracles because it reaches into the heart of God's tenderness, who loves you like a father. And when He does not give us a grace, He gives us another grace that we will recognize in time. But always be sure to struggle in prayer when asking for grace.
The Pope also revived another tradition of his weekly audiences: meeting with sick pilgrims.
He stopped to greet them before leaving the audience.
Javier Martinez-Brocal
TR: Justin McLellan
