There was a festive atmosphere at the Vatican to welcome Pope Francis as he arrived in the popemobile for his Wednesday General Audience.
In his remarks, the Pope spoke about Papua New Guinea, a country he will visit in a few months, where an avalanche left 2,000 people buried. According to the United Nations, about 7,000 people have been affected by this natural disaster.
POPE FRANCIS
I want to assure you of my prayers for the victims of the big landslide that swept through some villages in Papua New Guinea. May the Lord comfort the family members—who have lost their homes and the Papuan people, whom God willing, I will visit next September.
Pope Francis also spoke about one of his predecessors, Paul VI, and gave the pilgrims present a book recommendation.
POPE FRANCIS
Today, we celebrate the liturgical memorial of St. Paul VI, a pastor burning with love for Jesus, for the Church and for humanity. May this anniversary help all to rediscover the joy of being Christians by inspiring a renewed commitment to building a civilization of love. And I recommend—if you have some time—reading Paul VI's letter “Evangelii Nuntiandi,” which is still relevant today.
To close the Audience, Pope Francis renewed his call for an end to war in places such as Ukraine, Palestine, Israel and Burma. He echoed his longstanding message that the biggest victims of war are the children who lose their smiles.
CA
TR: KG
