He prayed in particular for an effective cease-fire between Israelis and Palestinians. He said: “Security and stability are never obtained through the use of arms, but rather, every hope of peace will continue to be destroyed.”
In his reflection on Sunday’s Gospel, Pope Francis said that the Holy Spirit should be thought of as a constant “companion for life,” who is always there to bring God’s consolation, mercy, and strength.
“The Holy Spirit wants to stay with us: He is not a passing guest who comes to pay us a courtesy visit. He is a companion for life, a stable presence. He is the Spirit and desires to dwell in our spirits. He is patient and stays with us even when we fall. He remains because he truly loves us,” he said.
Pope Francis asked people to reflect on how often they call upon the Holy Spirit and urged them not to forget that the Holy Spirit is always within us and never abandons us.
“If we find ourselves in a moment of trial, the Holy Spirit consoles us, bringing us God’s pardon and strength,” he said.
Pope Francis noted that we can ask the Virgin Mary for the grace to be more “docile to the voice of the Holy Spirit and sensitive to his presence.”
