Pope Francis begins catechesis on Church, issues appeal for refugees

June 18, 2014

Emphasizing that the Church is “our mother” and “our family” and not a “financial institution” or “private association,” Pope Francis has begun a new series of Wednesday general audiences devoted to the Church.

Pope Francis said that the Church was founded by Jesus and had a “prehistory,” a time of preparation. At a time when mankind called upon the gods, God took the initiative and called Abraham with a call that involved Abraham’s household. The Pope emphasized that God has truly spoken to us, and that we can truly have a conversation with God through prayer.

The history of salvation-- from Abraham’s day to our own-- is the “history of the fidelity of God and the infidelity of the people,” Pope Francis added, as he called upon those gathered in St. Peter’s Square to admit their sinfulness and place themselves in God’s hands.

Following his audience, Pope Francis issued an appeal for refugees. “Millions of refugee families from different nations and of every religious faith live through dramatic stories and carry deep wounds that will be hard to heal,” he said as he asked the faithful “to be close to these people, sharing their fears and their uncertainty for the future, and alleviating their pain with concrete measures.”

 

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Further information:

• Il Papa apre ciclo di catechesi sulla Chiesa (Vatican Radio)
• Pope Francis appeals for concrete help for refugees (Vatican Radio)