Pope Francis: God is our refuge, source of serenity and peace

During his Angelus address on Sunday to pilgrims and tourists gathered in St Peter's Square, Pope Francis focussed on the Gospel reading of the day in which Jesus calls us not to worry about tomorrow, recalling that above all there is a loving Father who never forgets his children.

Drawing from this passage the Pope reminded those present to trust in God who takes care of all living beings of creation. Trusting in him, explained the Holy Father, "will not magically solve our problems, but it lets us face them with the right frame of mind."

Pope Francis went on to say: "God is not distant or anonymous: he is our refuge, the source of our serenity and our peace." When we distance ourselves from God we end up following the obsessive pursuit of worldly goods and riches. However, the Holy Father said: " Jesus tells us that this desperate search is an illusion and a cause of unhappiness."

Quoting from scripture, Pope Francis reiterated that "You cannot serve God and wealth - one has to choose constantly the road that leads to God, because the temptation to reduce everything to money, pleasure and power is pressing. Choosing God's path, may not immediately bear fruit but it ultimately leads to fulfilment and the realization of his plans for us, the Pope said.

"Christian hope is outstretched to the future fulfilment of God's promise and does not halt in face of a difficulty, because it is founded on God's fidelity, which never fails. He is faithful, He is a faithful Father; He is a faithful friend, He is a faithful ally."

Pope Francis concluded: "May the Virgin Mary help us to entrust ourselves to the love and goodness of our heavenly Father, to live in Him and with Him. This is the presupposition to overcome the torments and adversities of life, and also the persecutions, as the testimony of so many of our brothers and sisters shows us."

After the Angelus Pope Francis greeted all pilgrims of Rome, of Italy and of different countries. "I greet the Polish faithful of Warsaw and of other localities, who have carried out a Marian pilgrimage; and, from Spain, those of Ciudad Real and the young people of Formentera. I greet the youngsters of Cuneo, Zelarino, Mattarello and Malcesine, Fino Mornasco and Monteolimpino; the Confirmation candidates of Cavenago d'Adda, Almenno San Salvatore and Serravalle Scrivia; the faithful of Ferrara, Latina, Sora, Roseto degli Abruzzi, Creazzo and Rivalta sul Mincio." he said.

Pope Francis also greeted a group that came for the 'Day of Rare Diseases.' "Thank you, thank you for all that you do" he said, "and I hope that the patients and their families are adequately supported in the not easy course, be it at the medical as well as the legislative level."

Before leaving the window Pope Francis gave his usual greeting: "I wish you all a good Sunday. Please, do not forget to pray for me. Have a good lunch and see you soon!"

Source: Vatican Radio/VIS