Pope: Learn to listen to the Holy Spirit




May 8, 2013. (Romereports.com) More than 70,000 people flocked to St. Peter's Square for the Pope's weekly general audience. For about 45 minutes, the Pope greeted the crowds.

On several occasions, he even got out of the Popemobile to greet ill or disabled children.

Before the start of the audience, a girl who was wearing her first communion dress, gave the Pope a bouquet of flowers. The Pope placed them at the feet of Our Lady of Luján, who is actually the Patroness of Argentina. Today, the Church celebrates her day.

During his greeting in Spanish, the Pope asked the crowd for a warm applause in honor our Our Lady.

POPE FRANCIS
“This day in which we celebrate Our Lady of Luján, the heavenly patroness of Argentina, let's give her a warm applause. Louder, I can't hear you! Louder. On this day in which we honor Our Lady of Luján, I extend my sincere affection to all the children of this dear land of Argentina. At the same time, I place before her all your joys and worries.”

As part of his catechesis on the Year of Faith, the Pope talked about the power of the Holy Spirit, inviting people to learn to listen.

POPE FRANCIS
“We have to listen to the Holy Spirit. It's within each one of us. Listen! What does the Holy Spirit tell us? That God is good, God is the Father, God loves us, that God always forgives. Listen to the Holy Spirit!”

It's through the Holy Spirit, explained the Pope, that Christians can strengthen their spirituality, by inspiring love, joy, understanding, service, loyalty and self-control.

POPE FRANCIS
“The Holy Spirit teaches us to see life with the eyes of Christ. To live life the way Christ wants us to live it. The Spirit teaches us to understand life, as Christ understood it.”

Among the thousands of people attending the general audience in Peter's Square, there were pilgrims from China, Iran, Indonesia and India.

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