During his General Audience, Pope Francis explained the key role which the elderly have in families and society, of transmitting their wisdom to younger generations.
POPE FRANCIS
'And we, women and men of a certain age...not to say old, because some will be offended. Of a certain age...let us not forget that we have the chance to offer wisdom, to say to others: Look, this path of corruption leads nowhere.'
He added that it is sad to see people who grow older but do not improve themselves, since they have become stuck in their bad habits.
POPE FRANCIS
'This is a bad thing, when the elderly do not mature and grow old with the same corrupt habits of the youth.'
The Pope spend a lot of time after his catechesis greeting pilgrims. Among them, a group of Poles who will pray for the Pope's intentions at the shrine of Czestochowa in Jasna Góra, Poland, over the weekend.
POPE FRANCIS
'I thank you for your gesture. Let us pray this time especially for peace in Ukraine. I bless you from my heart.'
It was a message that was greeted with great applause among those present. Several of them, with Ukrainian flags in hand.
JRB
TR: JM