Christmas was in the air during the Pope Francis' General Audience.
This group dressed in traditional outfits from a region in Italy and welcomed him with a Christmas carol.
The Pope then delivered his final catechesis on discernment, and explained the importance of establishing what he called an 'affectionate' relationship with scripture.
He shared the example of the prophet Elijah: the Bible says how he managed to see God in a moment of calmness. Pope Francis said that the passage shows the value of stopping to listen to God.
POPE FRANCIS
Many times it is not easy to enter into that peace of the heart because we are busy with this, with that, all day long. But please, calm down a little bit. Enter into yourself, into yourself. Two minutes. Stop. See what your heart feels. But let's do this, brothers and sisters, it will help us a lot.
He said that these teachings on discernment can help people face their lives more freely.
After his catechesis, the Pope turned his attention to the Ukrainians who are still in a country at war in the middle of winter, without heat or electricity. In particular, he remembered the situation of Ukrainian children.
POPE FRANICS
On this feast of God who becomes a child, let us think of the Ukrainian children. When I have seen them here most of them cannot smile, and when a child loses the ability to smile it is serious. These children carry with them the tragedy of that war.
In greeting the Polish pilgrims Francis thanked them for opening their homes to Ukrainians and devoting their time and resources to help them.
JRB
TR: JM
