Vatican City, 19 February 2014: Pope Francis held his weekly general audience on Wednesday,
where he delivered a catechesis on the Sacrament of Reconciliation. The public meeting
is an opportunity for pilgrims and tourists visiting Rome to see the Pope and hear
him speak, and also to receive his blessing. The general audience of February 19
was held in the open, in Rome’s St. Peter’s Square. It began with aides reading a
passage from the Gospel of St. Mathew, in several languages.
Listen:
Based
on the scripture passage, Pope Francis delivered his main discourse in Italian - summaries
of which were read out by aides in various languages, including in English. But first,
the aide greeted the Pope on behalf of the English-speaking pilgrims.
Listen:
…
Dear Brothers and Sisters: Through the Sacraments of Initiation, we receive new life
in Christ. This life we carry in earthen vessels, however, and we still experience
temptations, suffering, and death. Because of sin, we can even lose this new life.
Jesus therefore willed that the Church continue his works of salvation for her members,
in particular through the Sacrament of Reconciliation, which flows from the Paschal
Mystery. The forgiveness we receive is not the result of our own efforts, but is
the gift of the Holy Spirit reconciling us to God and to each other. While the celebration
of the Sacrament is personal, it is rooted in the community of the Church, in which
the Holy Spirit is present, uniting us all in Jesus Christ. When confessing our sins
then, we confess to the priest who represents not only God but also the community
of the Church that accompanies us on the path of conversion. Though this Sacrament
is a great treasure, we may be tempted to dismiss it, perhaps due to laziness or embarrassment,
or because of a diminishing sense of sin and its effects. Too often, we see ourselves
as the centre and measure of all things, and our lives can go adrift. The Sacrament
of Reconciliation calls us back to God, and embraces us with his infinite mercy and
joy. May we allow his love to renew us as his children and to reconcile us with him,
with ourselves, and with one another.
Pope Francis then greeted the English-speaking
pilgrims in Italian.
Listen:
... I offer an affectionate greeting to all the English-speaking
pilgrims and visitors present at today’s Audience, including those from England, Norway,
Nigeria, Japan and the United States. May your visit to the Eternal City renew and
deepen your love for Jesus Christ and his Church. God bless you all!