Pope Francis was greeted by this band of cheerleaders dressed for Christmas at his General Audience.
In his catechesis, the Pope recalled the 400th anniversary of the death of St. Francis de Sales and announced the publication of an apostolic letter in his honor. It is entitled 'Everything Belongs to Love.'
POPE FRANCIS
In the Holy Church, everything belongs to love. It lives in love; it is done by love and comes of love. And maybe we could all go on this road of love that is so beautiful.
Pope Francis centered his preaching on Christmas and on the image of the manger. He explained that St. Luke focuses on the manger because it is full of significance.
POPE FRANCIS
When the angels announce the birth of Jesus, go and find him. The sign is that 'you will find a child in a manger.' That is the sign. The throne of Jesus is either the manger or the road. It is preaching throughout His life or the cross at the end of His life. This is the throne of our king.
But the most significant moment of the Audience came after the catechesis. Pope Francis asked for prayers for Pope emeritus Benedict XVI.
POPE FRANCIS
I would like to ask you all for a special prayer for Pope emeritus Benedict, who in silence is sustaining the Church. Remembering him. He is very sick, asking the Lord to console him, to sustain him in this witness of love for the Church until the end.
Before leaving the Paul VI Audience Hall, the Pope stopped to pray before the Nativity Scene.
RM
TR: KG
