Pope Francis: weekly General Audience summary
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis held a General Audience on
Wednesday, August 2nd, the first of his weekly appointments with pilgrims and
tourists after their suspension for the month of July. The Holy Father
continued his series of catechetical reflections on Christian hope, this Wednesday
focusing on the Sacrament of Baptism, which he described as the “gateway to
hope”. Below, please find the full text of the English-language summary of his
prepared remarks, which was read after the main catechesis.
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Dear Brothers and Sisters:
In our continuing catechesis on Christian hope, we now
consider the sacrament of baptism as the gate to eternal life. In the early
Church, those about to be baptized made their profession of faith facing
eastward, seeing the rising sun as a symbol of Christ. Even if our modern world
has lost contact with such cosmic imagery, this symbolism retains its power.
For what does it mean to be Christian, but to confess our faith in the light, a
light that casts out gloom and darkness? In putting on Christ at baptism we
become children of light. This light gives us new hope, helps us to know God as
Father, and enables us to recognize Jesus in the weakest and poorest. When we
were baptized we received a candle that was lit from the Paschal Candle, as a
sign of Christ’s victory over the darkness of sin and death. This is also a
sign of the life of the Church: to be ablaze with this new light! As
Christians, let us remind each other that we have been reborn as children of
the light, and, faithful to our baptismal calling, let us share the new hope
that Jesus brings.
Greetings:
I greet the English-speaking pilgrims and visitors taking
part in today’s Audience, particularly those from Japan, Nigeria, Iraq and the
United States of America. I am especially pleased to welcome the pilgrims from
the Chaldean Patriarchate, accompanied by Bishop Shlemon Warduni. Upon all of
you, I invoke the grace of the Lord Jesus, that you may be a sign of Christian
hope in your homes and communities. May God bless you!
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