After today’s catechesis the Holy Father greeted the pilgrims and faithful who participated in the general audience in the Paul VI Hall, mentioning among the French speakers the young people from Paris, Saint Cloud and Reims. He also welcomed Italians from the Association “Genitori di Stelle” (“Parents of Stars”), with the bishop of Avezzano, Msgr. Pietro Santoro; the delegation from the municipality of Bolsena and the members of the Bakers’ Association of Rome, a group of scouts, the Oasi Mariana Betania Community of Alvito and students, especially those from the Capriotti Institute of San Benedetto del Tronto. He invited all present to prayer and commitment to works of mercy, “so that Christmas may be a personal encounter with the Lord and inspire goodness and solidarity in us”.

Finally he addressed the young, the sick and newly-weds, inviting the first to prepare for the mystery of the Incarnation “with the obedience of faith and the humility that were Mary’s”. He urged the sick to “draw from Her that strength and that ardour for Jesus Who comes among us”, and encouraged newly-weds to “contemplate the example of the holy Family of Nazareth, to practice the same virtues in our journey of family life”.