Pope to Youth: Return to the Father This Lent

The Pope said this today at the end of the general audience in Paul VI Hall, with his customary greeting to youth, the sick and newlyweds.

"Dear young people," he said, "I exhort you to live Lent with a genuine penitential spirit, as a return to the Father, who awaits all with open arms."

The Holy Father continued: "Dear sick people, I encourage you to offer your sufferings together with Christ for the conversion of those who still find themselves far from God; and I hope you, dear newlyweds, will build your families with courage and generosity on the solid rock of divine love."