Pope Francis reminded the faithful that Christian life is a gift, based not on our abilities and our plans but on the loving gaze of God. The Pope was reflecting the Gospel readings of the day. The Pontiff invited all Christians to say “yes” to God and savour the beauty of making life a gift.
“Here is the first test: what is faith for me? If it is mainly a duty or a bargaining chip, we are off track, because salvation is a gift and not a duty, it is free and cannot be bought,” Poe said. After praying the Angelus together with the pilgrims present in St.Peter’s Square, Pope Francis recalled the proclamation of the two new Blesseds: Maria Lorenza Longo and Don Francesco Mottola. Finally Pope Francis invited the prayers regarding the World Mental Health Day.