Due to the presence of numerous faithful, the General Audience, on Wednesday 24 November, took place in two distinct moments: in the Vatican Basilica and then in the Paul vi Hall. The following is a translation of the Pope’s greeting to the groups he met in the Basilica.
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Good morning!
I am pleased to welcome you in this Basilica, and to address a warm welcome to every one of you.
I greet the Vincentian Family throughout Italy who has promoted the Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal pilgrimage to all the regions of Italy, together with the dioceses and parishes. In these months of the pandemic, your mission has brought hope, making many experience God’s mercy. I am thinking in particular of lonely people, of the sick in hospitals, of those living in prisons, in reception centres and on the existential peripheries. Thank you, because you have borne witness to the style of the “outbound Church” that reaches out to all, starting with the excluded and the marginalised. Continue along this path and open yourselves ever more to the action of the Holy Spirit, who gives you the strength to boldly proclaim the novelty of the Gospel.
I greet the pilgrims of the John Paul ii Association of Bisceglie. Dear friends, imitate the example of this Holy Pontiff and make the effort to understand and welcome God’s love, the wellspring of and reason for our true joy. In communion with your parish priests, proclaim Christ with your life, in your families and in every environment.
Lastly, my greeting goes to the Italian Association of Victims of Violence. Dear brothers and sisters, I thank you for your work of assistance and support to those who have suffered mistreatment and who live in distress and discomfort. Violence is ugly; it is ugly; a violent attitude is very ugly. With your important work, you contribute to building a more just and supportive society. May your example inspire renewed effort on the part of all, so that the victims of violence may be protected and their suffering be taken into account and heard.
And thank you to all of you for this visit! Right here in the Basilica, this is beautiful… I impart my heartfelt Blessing to you all, which I extend to your families and your communities. I now invite you to pray together to Our Lady, who is present here. Hail Mary …