In his General Audience, Pope Francis, joined by a few children, entered St. Peter's Square in the popemobile. He greeted pilgrims with blessings as he moved through the crowd.
After giving his opening blessing, the Pope greeted two young boys before beginning his catechesis.
How are you?
The Pope continued his weekly catechesis on discernment reflecting on the example of St. Ignatius of Loyola. He focused on two aspects of the saint's life that relate to discernment: time and the end points of one's thoughts.
POPE FRANCIS
That is, the thoughts of the world are attractive at first, but then they lose their shine and leave you empty, discontented. They leave you like something empty. The thoughts of God, on the contrary, at first arouse some resistance—but these boring things of the saints, I will not read—but when you welcome them they bring an unknown peace, which lasts a long time.
The Pope specifically prayed for mothers in honor of the Feast of the Nativity of Mary. He expressed his closeness to all mothers, especially mothers who suffer with their children.
POPE FRANCIS
In a special way, to mothers who have suffering children, sick children, marginalized children, imprisoned children. A special prayer for the mothers of young prisoners, that hope will not be lost. Unfortunately, in the prison there are many people who take their own lives, sometimes even young people. A mother's love can prevent this danger.
Pope Francis also remembered the mothers and families in Ukraine, again asking for an end to the war.
KG
