The pope began the weekly audience with symptoms of a cold. He confirmed it himself and asked to read the catechesis instead.
POPE FRANCIS
I want to apologize because with this severe cold it is difficult for me to speak. That is why I asked my brother to read the catechesis. He will read it better than me.
In his message, the pope reflected on the moment when Mary visits her relative Elizabeth, both of whom are pregnant.
POPE FRANCIS
The encounter between the two women produces a startling impact: the voice of the “full of grace” that greets Elizabeth provokes the prophecy in the child that the elderly woman carries in her womb and arouses in her a double blessing, “Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb!” And also a beatitude: “Blessed is she who believed in the fulfillment of what the Lord told her.”
Although the Pope did not read the catechesis, he did deliver greetings to the various language groups in the Paul VI Hall.
And, as is customary at the end of the audiences, the pope once again remembered those countries that continue to face difficulties.
POPE FRANCIS
We think of the countries suffering war: the battered Ukraine, Israel, Jordania and so many countries that are suffering there. We remember the displaced people of Palestine and pray for them.
At the end, the faithful sang the Lord's Prayer and the Pope imparted his blessing to all of them.
JH
