Pope Francis arrived in the town of Floriana in Malta to celebrate Mass before a crowd of 20,000, including representatives from Malta's various religious communities.
The Pope did not proceed to the altar with the other celebrants, but entered from behind the stage carrying a simple wooden ferula.
In his homily, Pope Francis stressed that being Christian does not entail searching for the faults of others, but living out the Gospel in one's own life.
POPE FRANCIS
Those who believe they are upholding the faith by pointing their finger at others may have a certain “religiosity,” but they have not embraced the spirit of the Gospel, for they disregard mercy, which is the heart of God.
After the Mass, Pope Francis was thanked for his visit by the Archbishop of Malta, Charles Scicluna, to whom the Pope offered a chalice, as he typically does when visiting religious leaders.
He then addressed the young people present, and urged them to not be afraid of following Jesus, and to not forget their roots.
POPE FRANCIS
Talk to old people, talk to your grandparents, talk to the elderly.
The Pope stopped to consecrate an icon of Our Lady before leaving from the back of the stage. It is his last public event during his trip to Malta, where he will also visit a refugee center before returning to Rome.
JM
