Pope Francis met with a group of Italian children before his General Audience.
Instead of going to school, they went to St. Peter's Basilica to learn how to pray. And for this lesson, they had the best teacher, the Pope. He spoke to them about the problems Ukrainian children are facing right now.
POPE FRANCIS
You have ahead of you a future where you will surely grow up in a peaceful society. But other children, even if they are very young, must flee from bombs. Today, they are suffering in the cold.
Pope Francis asked the children to listen to him carefully and to keep his words in their hearts.
POPE FRANCIS
Lord Jesus, look at these children, at these teenagers. Look at them. Protect them. They are the victims of our arrogance, the arrogance of adults.
Finally, Pope Francis encouraged the children present at the audience to look at the theme of the meeting: 'Amazed and grateful.' The Pope often uses these two words to describe an authentic encounter with God that goes beyond everyday experiences.
POPE FRANCIS
Thank you for this encounter. Thank you. Thank you. And don't forget: amazed and grateful. All together: amazed and grateful. I can't hear you: amazed and grateful. Once again: amazed and grateful. Thank you!
Listen and repeat – a technique that only the best teachers use, and in this case, the Pope is the teacher.
RM
