Pope to Middle East Pilgrims: ‘Without Christ at Center of Life, Perseverance, Consolation Are Impossible’

At General Audience, Pope Blesses Arabic-speaking Pilgrims and Reminds Them How Hope Is Needed.

“I give a warm welcome to the Arabic-speaking pilgrims, particularly those from Egypt, the Holy Land, and the Middle East!”, said Pope Francis during the General Audience of March 22, 2017.

This morning’s General Audience was held at 9:30 in St. Peter’s Square, where the Holy Father Francis met with groups of pilgrims and faithful from Italy and from all over the world.

The Pope spoke in Italian, translated immediately into Arabic by one of his collaborators in the Roman Curia: “Perseverance becomes impossible unless it is based on hope and consolation becomes deceptive unless it is based on trust in the security and the nearby presence of the Lord.

“The perseverance and consolation are impossible,” he continued, “without Christ at the center of our life, of our existence and our hope. ”

“May the Lord bless you all and protect you from evil!” he said.

Source: Zenit.org