Pope's general audience of Jan. 29

January 29, 2014 - Pope Francis held his weekly general audience on Wednesday, where he delivered a catechesis on the Sacrament of Confirmation.. The public meeting is an opportunity for pilgrims and tourists visiting Rome to be able to see and hear the Pope, and also receive his blessing. The general audience of Jan. 29 was held in the open, in Rome’s St. Peter’s Square. It began with aides reading a passage from the Gospel of St. Luke, in several languages.
Listen:

Basing himself 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: In our continuing catechesis on the seven sacraments, we now reflect on Confirmation, which, together with Baptism and the Eucharist, is one of the sacraments of Christian initiation. These sacraments make us sharers in the death and resurrection of Jesus and living members of his body, the Church. In Confirmation, through the sacramental sign of anointing with sacred chrism, we receive the gift of the Holy Spirit in order to be more closely conformed to Christ, God’s “anointed one”. We are also strengthened – “confirmed” – in the grace of our Baptism and in our mission of bearing daily witness to Christ and his love. The working of the Holy Spirit in our lives is reflected in the seven spiritual gifts of wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety and fear of the Lord. Today let us thank the Lord for the grace of our Confirmation and ask that, filled with the joy of the Holy Spirit, we may always mirror Christ’s presence in our relations with others, our openness to those in need, and our living witness to the Gospel message of joy and peace.

Pope Francis then greeted the English-speaking pilgrims in Italian.
Listen:

... I greet all the English-speaking pilgrims present at today’s audience, especially those from Scotland, Ireland and the United States. My special greeting goes to the pilgrimage group from the Diocese of Rapid City, accompanied by Bishop Robert Gruss. Upon you and your families I invoke God’s blessings of joy and peace! (BLESSING)