After today’s catechesis, in his greetings to pilgrims from different countries, the Pope welcomed among others the artistes and technicians of Liana Orfei’s Golden Circus, who performed acrobatics and magic tricks in the Paul VI Hall. “Beauty always brings us closer to God”, commented the Holy Father, before greeting various parish groups including those of the Roman Church of Sant’Andrea delle Fratte, who brought with them a statue of Our Lady of Miracles, which will be displayed in St. Peter’s Basilica.

He also addressed special greetings to the young, the sick and newly-weds, whom he described as “the courageous, as it takes courage to get married and to do so for all your life: well done!” He added, “May the innocent martyr saints, whom we remember today, help us all to be strong in faith, looking at the Divine Child, Who in the mystery of Christmas offers Himself for all humanity. Dear young people, may you too know how to grow like Him: obedient to your parents and ready to understand and follow the will of the Father in heaven. Dear sick people, I hope that you will see, in the bright light of Bethlehem, the meaning of your suffering. And I urge you, dear courageous newly-weds, to maintain constant, in forming your family, love and devotion beyond every sacrifice, and never to end the day without making peace”.