“I give a warm welcome to the Arabic-speaking pilgrims, particularly those from Egypt, Lebanon and the Middle East!”, said Pope Francis during his General Audience of Jan. 3, 2018.
This morning’s General Audience was held at 9:30 in the Vatican’s Paul VI Hall where the Holy Father Francis met with groups of pilgrims and faithful from Italy and from all over the world.
The Pope spoke in Italian, translated immediately into Arabic by one of his collaborators in the Roman Curia: “Dear brothers and sisters, the penitential act we perform as a community at the beginning of the Mass, that is, recognizing our sins before God and our brothers and sisters, allows us to prepare ourselves inwardly to be worthy to celebrate this Holy Mystery.”
“He who confesses his sins with humility and sincerity, receives forgiveness and again finds union with God and with his brothers.”
Pope Francis concluded, praying: “May the Lord bless you and accompany you on the journey of the new year!”
