Saturday, February 15, 2025

Popular News

HomeNewsVaticanPope Francis' General Audience: English Summary

Pope Francis’ General Audience: English Summary


At the Wednesday General Audience, Pope Francis’ reflects on the first words of the Lord’s Prayer: “Our Father”. Below is the official English-language summary of the Pope’s address:

Summary

Dear brothers and sisters: In our catechesis on the Lord’s Prayer, we now reflect on its very first words: “Our Father”.  Saint Paul’s letters testify that the earliest Christians, guided by the Holy Spirit, prayed using the Aramaic word for “father” that Jesus himself had used: “Abba” (cf. Rom 8:15; Gal 4:6).  At the beginning of the Lord’s Prayer, then, we hear an echo of the voice of Jesus himself, who teaches the disciples that to pray is to share in his own intimate and trusting relationship with the Father.  The parable of the prodigal son shows us most vividly how Jesus wants us to understand our heavenly Father and his infinite love, mercy and forgiveness.  Indeed, there is also something maternal about this love of the Father, which accompanies and nurtures the development of our new life in Christ as his adoptive sons and daughters.  All the newness of the Gospel, and the very heart of our prayer as Christians, is in some sense summed up in the one word: “Abba”.  Even in the most difficult times in our lives, may we never be afraid to turn in trust and confidence to the Father, praying in the words that Jesus taught us: “Abba”, “Our Father”.

Greetings to pilgrims

I welcome the English-speaking pilgrims and visitors taking part in today’s Audience, especially the groups coming from Korea and the United States of America.  In the context of the forthcoming Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, I offer a special greeting to the group from the Bossey Ecumenical Institute.  My cordial greeting also goes to the priest alumni of the Pontifical North American College.  Upon all of you I invoke the joy and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ.  God bless you!

Popular News

Pope receives Slovakian Prime Minister

On Friday morning, Pope Francis welcomed the Prime Minister of Slovakia, Robert Fico, to...

Pope highlights continued relevance of ‘Gaudium et spes’

In an audience with members of the Gaudium Et Spes Foundation, Pope Francis emphasizes...

Pope has slight fever, begins pharmacological treatment for respiratory tract infection

The Holy See Press Office says Pope Francis has undergone tests and has begun...

Justice and Peace Promoters meet in Rome for week of formation

Focusing on the theme “JPIC Mission: Pilgrims of Hope for systemic transformation for the...