Pope
Audience: Church is on a journey towards heaven
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis during his weekly General
Audience in the St Peter’s Square (Wednesday) today told pilgrims the Church is
on a continuing journey towards heaven. He also asked for prayers for his
upcoming Apostolic visit to Turkey.
At the heart of Pope Francis catechesis at his General Audience
on Wednesday was the continuing journey of the Church towards Paradise. On a
rainy day in St Peter’s Square the Holy Father explained to the pilgrims and
tourists present that “the Second Vatican Council reminded us that the Church
is not an end in herself, but that she is continually journeying through
history to the kingdom of heaven, of which the Church on earth is the seed and
beginning.”
The Pope went on to
say that at the end of time this pilgrimage will reach its fulfillment when the
universe will become a new heavenly Jerusalem consumed by joy, peace and the
love of God.
He noted that even now
there is a continuity between the Church on earth and in heaven where those who
already live in the sight of God can indeed support the living and intercede
for us, pray for us from heaven. On the other hand, he added, “we are always
invited to offer good deeds, prayer and the Eucharist itself to alleviate the
suffering of souls who are still waiting for the bliss without end.”
As members of the
Church, Pope Francis underlined, the distinction is not between who has died
and who is living, but rather who is in Christ and who is not.
Looking to a great
figure of the Church for inspiration, the Pope said that Saint Paul tells us
that “it is not only humanity which will be liberated from corruption, but the
whole of creation” and all things will be brought into the fullness of being,
truth and beauty.
Following his
catechesis and speaking in Italian the Holy Father asked the faithful to pray
for his upcoming journey to Turkey which he said is a visit that promotes the
fruits of peace, sincere dialogue between religions and harmony in the Turkey
nation.
Pope Francis also
greeted Arab speaking pilgrims from Iraq and the Middle East telling them to
hold on to the Church and their faith at this time of suffering and violence.
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