During the usual public audience on Wednesday, Pope Francis invited everyone to join in prayer all those who are praying for the Pope Emeritus before starting his catechism.
(Vatican News Network)January 4 is the last day on which the body of Benedict XVI will be visible to the public. While crowds from all over the world poured into St. Peter’s Basilica to pay homage to the Pope Emeritus, Pope Francis presided over a regular Wednesday public audience in the Paul VI Hall, giving a lecture on the catechism.
“Before starting this catechism, I would like us all to agree with all those who are paying homage to Benedict XVI next door. My thoughts turn to his great catechesis,” the Pope said. Insightful, humble and courteous, the his thoughts are not governed by him, but by the Church, because he always wants to accompany us to encounter Jesus. Jesus, the crucified and risen Lord, the living God, is Benedict XVI who takes us by the hand and leads us to help us rediscover in Christ the joy of faith and the hope of life”.
Greeting the German-speaking pilgrims after catechism, Pope Francis reiterated the words of “our beloved late Benedict XVI”: “The believer is never alone! Whoever believes that God is the Father, there are many brothers and sisters. in a unique way the universality of this community of faith, which does not end with death”.
Greeting the Italian-speaking pilgrims, Pope Francis referred to the imminent Epiphany: “You, like the Magi, know how to seek Christ, Light of the world and Savior of humanity, with an open heart”. “persevere in solidarity with the suffering people of Ukraine and pray for them the grace of peace”.
Finally, the Pope led those present to recite the Our Father in Latin and imparted the Apostolic Blessing. Immediately afterwards, many faithful chanted the name of Pope Benedict, and the cries echoed in the hall of Pope Paul VI.
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