Lord of Life, You have given us the gift of water, source of fruitfulness, freshness, and hope. It quenches thirst, nourishes the earth, and heals wounds. We see with pain so many brothers and sisters who lack clean water, who walk for miles to find it, who become ill due to its scarcity. 1/2

Every human person is planned and willed by God to enter into communion with Him, with others, and with creation. #MagnificaHumanitas #GeneralAudience 1/2

Today we celebrate the birth of a little girl who would be called to become the Mother of her Creator, the Mother of God. Yet, she is born simply as a little girl, like the daughters and granddaughters we hold in our arms. 1/2

In Jesus Christ, God chose the humblest historical circumstances and the humblest of creatures, Mary, to reveal the originality of His Kingdom, in which arrogance has no place and omnipotence means creation, service, and care for life.

My heart is united with the suffering of the people of #Ukraine, who have lived in anguish and fear for years. I renew my appeal to put an end to the violence, halt the destruction, and open hearts to dialogue and #peace! 1/2

Without faith, each person might feel alone and become suspicious of others, seeing them as strangers and enemies. By grace, however, we are brothers and sisters who can live in harmony: meeting one another, forgiving one another and listening to one another in the Lord. #Angelus

Do not be afraid to sow without immediately seeing the fruits. The sowing belongs to you; the growth belongs to God. No gesture carried out in the name of Christ is useless.

The Church cannot remain passive or indifferent to what happens in the world. Rather, she is called to journey alongside humanity, especially in light of the rapid and profound changes taking place. #GeneralAudience #GaudiumEtSpes

This evening we begin the #SeasonOfCreation — a period of five weeks devoted to prayer and commitment to the care of our “common home.” 1/2

Let us #PrayTogether for a just and sustainable management of water, a vital resource, so that everyone may have equal access to it. #PrayerIntention www.popesprayer.va/praywiththep...

Today we celebrate the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation. This marks the beginning of the Season of Creation – observed by Christians of various denominations – whose theme this year is “Living Water.” 1/3

Let us continue to pray for peace. Saint Augustine, whose feast we celebrated a few days ago, said that peace “is like the miraculous bread multiplied in the hands of the disciples as they broke it and distributed it” (Sermo 357, 2). 1/2

It is not always easy to understand and accept God’s ways, especially when they're very far from our own. Then the temptation arises — against all the reasoning of faith — to think that the Lord is the one who is wrong, or worse still, that he is not listening to us or is not concerned about us. 1/3

Today, we witness the suffering of so many broken families, whether because of drug use, violence, the criminal recruitment of a child, poverty, or a lack of opportunities that pushes people to the margins. 1/2

The liturgy is not merely an outward observance, but a living encounter with God. Let us participate in the liturgy consciously, devoutly, and actively, so that we may grow in faith. #GeneralAudience

Faith is not something given to us once and for all. Rather, we continually need to rediscover the face of Christ and his Gospel, to enter more deeply into his message and to renew the choices we make in our lives, so that they may be consistent with what we profess. 1/2

In my prayers, I often remember the Democratic Republic of the Congo, especially in light of the spread of the Ebola epidemic, which is sadly claiming many lives. 1/3

“The Love that moves the sun and the other stars” still impels us to hope. Love moves us, urges us onward, awakens us from lethargy, inspires new vocations, and calls us to take risks. 1/2 #PastoralVisit #Rimini

There is no true civil liberty without personal freedom—that is, without respect for and the promotion of the dignity of the human person, of which freedom is an essential component. Ultimately, this freedom is given and guaranteed by God, whose voice resounds in the conscience of every human being.

The world does not need an artificial intelligence that diminishes humanity; rather, it needs human intelligence enlightened by wisdom, political authority guided by conscience and technological innovation directed by charity. 1/3

The wounds of war and the degradation of the earth are profoundly linked to the condition of the human heart. The conflicts that torment humanity are in many ways the outward expression of interior discord and division. 1/3

Music fosters communion. It helps unite our hearts to overcome differences between people and bring everyone together in praise of God through a symphony of voices. #GeneralAudience

I renew my appeal for an end to the ongoing violence against the Palestinian civilian population in the West Bank, and I urgently call on the international community to work toward advancing the two-state solution, for a just and lasting peace.

From the Canaanite woman we learn humility and determination. Thanks to her faith, we learn that God’s table is set for everyone and that no one is left merely with crumbs, because each person has his or her own place with the Father. 1/2

The Blessed Virgin Mary, assumed into the glory of heaven, is a sign of hope and consolation for the entire People of God. For this reason, I wish to invoke her maternal intercession today on behalf of those communities that are in particular need of consolation and of renewed hope. 1/4

The glorification of Mary, body and soul, teaches us that our true beauty does not lie in hiding the signs of aging, but in revealing the signs of love that never end, and are even impressed on our flesh (cf. 1 Cor 13:8). 1/3

I wish to express my closeness to the Colombian sisters and brothers who have suffered the effects of the recent earthquake, which caused numerous deaths and injuries, as well as extensive material damage. 1/2

The liturgical year is not simply a commemoration of events from the past, but the living presence of Christ, who continues the work of salvation in his Church and guides us to an encounter with Him. #GeneralAudience

Distressing reports continue to arrive of innocent people being killed and injured in Ukraine and Russia. These incidents are occurring one after another, indeed they are multiplying, resulting in ever-increasing numbers of civilian victims, including children. 1/3

I continue to follow with concern the tragic situation in Sudan, especially in the city of el-Obeid. In expressing my spiritual closeness to all the people of the nation, I renew my appeal to those in authority to guarantee humanitarian corridors for the civilian population. 1/2