Vatican City, 26 February 2014: Pope Francis held his weekly general audience on Wednesday,
where he delivered a catechesis on the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick. 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 26 was held in the open, in Rome’s St. Peter’s Square. It began with aides
reading a passage from the letter of St. James, 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: In our catechesis on the sacraments, we now turn to the
Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick, which expresses God’s merciful presence to
the sick, the suffering and the aged. The parable of the Good Samaritan reflects
our Lord’s tender concern for those who suffer; like the Samaritan, and following
Christ’s example and teaching, the Church brings God’s healing presence to the suffering
through the sacramental sign of anointing with oil. As we learn from the Letter of
James (5:14-15), the early Church continued his ministry to the sick through prayer
and anointing by her presbyters. Through the celebration of the Anointing of the
Sick, the Church accompanies us in facing the profound mystery of suffering and death.
In a culture which all too often refuses to speak of these realities, we need all
the more to recognize the beauty of this Sacrament and to appreciate, in spiritual
solidarity with the whole Church, the presence of the Lord Jesus, who strengthens
us in faith and hope, and reminds us that nothing – not even evil and death – can
ever separate us from the saving power of his love.
Pope Francis then greeted
the English-speaking pilgrims in Italian.
Listen:
...
I greet all the English-speaking pilgrims present at today’s Audience, including those
from England, Denmark, Canada and the United States. I greet in particular the participants
in the World Congress of SIGNIS and the pilgrimage group of the Personal Ordinariate
of the Chair of Saint Peter from the United States. With affection I greet the alumni
and friends of the Pontifical Canadian College on the 125th
anniversary of the College’s establishment. Upon all present I invoke joy and peace
in Christ our Lord!