Pope Francis during his General Audience in St Peter’s Square on Wednesday reflected on the spiritual work of mercy, to bear wrongs patiently, telling the faithful during his catechesis that patience is a virtue. 

Message by His Holiness Pope Francis

Dear Brothers and Sisters:  In our catechesis for this Holy Year of Mercy, we now consider the spiritual work of mercy which is bearing wrongs patiently.  In showing patience to those who wrong us and, by extension, to those we find irritating, we imitate God’s own patience with us sinners.  Exercising patience with others also challenges us to reflect on our own conduct and failings.  Patience is also required in two related spiritual works of mercy: admonishing sinners and instructing the ignorant.  We think of the patience shown by the many parents, catechists and teachers who quietly help young people to grow in faith and knowledge of the important things in life.  Helping others to look past the ephemeral, to discover the Lord’s will in their lives and thus to find lasting joy, is a great act of charity.  By serving our brothers and sisters in this way, our own minds and hearts are purified and renewed.  May the Holy Spirit grant us the generosity and patience needed to support and encourage those around us, so that together we may cherish the things that truly matter…

Pope Francis on Sunday reminded the faithful that even the most sacred human constructions are “transitory” and warned them not to place their faith in them or in “false messiahs” who speculate on people’s needs.

Speaking to the crowds gathered in St. Peter’s Square for the Angelus, the Pope said that our only certainty is that our life is in the hands of the Lord, and that God will never abandon us…

Pope Francis on Friday met a group of young men who have left the priesthood during the past years to show his closeness and affection towards them. His surprise visit to an apartment in the outskirts of Rome to meet with the group made up of five  Italians, a Spaniard and a man from Latin America, came as part of his traditional gestures of Mercy on one Friday a month during this Jubilee Year…

Pope Francis revealed on Thursday that the search for Christian unity is one of his principle concerns, one that he prays may be shared by every baptized person. The Pope’s words came as he met in the Vatican with participants at a plenary session of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity. The meeting, from November 8th to 11th is exploring the theme “What model of full communion?”

In his words to the group of ecumenical experts from across the globe, the Pope recalled the many important encounters he has had this year with leaders of other Christian communities…