8 May, 2913 - Every week on Wednesday, the Pope holds a public meeting, called the
general audience, during which pilgrims and tourists who come to Rome have a chance
of seeing and hearing him speak and also receive his blessing. The general audience
of May 8th was held in the open, in Rome’s St. Peter’s Square. It began
with several aides reading a passage from the Letter of St. Paul to the Romans in
several languages. Listen to scripture reading:
The
Pope delivered his main discourse in Italian and later a summary in Spanish, his native
tongue. Various aides then presented him the language groups attending the audience,
including from India, Indonesia, the Philippines, Iran and China. The aides then
read summaries of the Pope’s catechesis in various languages, including in English.
Listen: Dear
Brothers and Sisters, In our continuing catechesis on the Creed, we now consider
the article which deals with the Holy Spirit: “I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord
and Giver of Life”. The Creed tells us that the Spirit is “Lord”, fully God, the
third person of the Blessed Trinity. He is the gift of the Risen Christ, who draws
us, through faith, into communion with the Triune God. The Creed also tells us that
the Spirit is the “Giver of Life”. How greatly we desire true life and the fullness
of beauty, love and peace! The Holy Spirit, dwelling in our hearts, is the pure source
of “living water, springing up to eternal life” which Jesus promised to the Samaritan
woman. Sent by Jesus from the Father, the Spirit purifies, renews and transforms
us; he grants us his sevenfold gifts and makes us children of God our Father. Even
now the Holy Spirit invites us to see all things with the eyes of Christ, to recognize
God’s immense love for us, and to share that love with all our brothers and sisters.
Pope
Francis greeted the various language groups in Italian and concluded Wednesday’s general
audience with his blessing. Receive the Pope’s blessing: