“Joy and Peace” was Pope Francis’ wish for the English-speaking visitors this Wednesday, February 1, 2017, on the occasion of the General Audience, held in Paul VI Hall in the Vatican.
After his catechesis, the Pope addressed the “English-speaking pilgrims, particularly the groups from Korea and the United States of America,” among them members of the “Mat Domini” Catholic Choir from Korea and The Festival Chorale of North Georgia, the Festival Chorale of Fairfield Glade, Tennessee, and an ecumenical group of pilgrims from St. Mary’s College, Moraga, California: “I thank the Choirs for their praise of God in song. Upon all of you and your families, I cordially invoke an abundance of joy and peace in our Lord Jesus Christ. God bless you!”
Previously, the Pontiff had meditated on hope in the resurrection of the dead, assuring that it is not a simple “desire” but a “certitude,” because the resurrection has already been accomplished in Christ. He invited to live in the expectation of the encounter with God, as a pregnant woman who lives “every day in the expectation of seeing the gaze of her child”. (vf)
