‘Even in dark moments, we must thank the Lord’

Turn to God always, and pray to him even at life’s most difficult moments ... Thank him for your faith, and, at all times, for the big and small things, including for what you have to eat...

These were some of the suggestions Pope Francis gave to some 200 children, preparing for their First Holy Communion, at a Roman parish on the outskirts of Rome.

During the meeting on Thursday, 11 April, which consisted of an open dialogue between him and the little ones, the Holy Father spent about one hour inaugurating the “School of Prayer”.

Among the various themes touched upon with the children, was the importance of “saying thank you for everything,” to parents, friends, teachers, and catechists, but, first and foremost, “to God”.

The encounter with the children was the first in a long series of meetings that will mark the Year of Prayer, a period of spiritual preparation for the Jubilee Year of 2025. Pope Francis chose to begin the series precisely with children.