After his reflection on St. Joseph at the general audience of January 26, Pope Francis mentioned a few concrete prayer intentions, and joked about his health.
He noted that January 27 is International Holocaust Remembrance Day
It is necessary to remember the extermination of millions of Jews, and people of different nationalities and religious faiths. This unspeakable cruelty must never be repeated. I appeal to everyone, especially educators and families, to foster in the new generations an awareness of the horror of this black page of history. It must not be forgotten, so that we can build a future where human dignity is no longer trampled underfoot.
He asked for ‘Our Fathers’ for Ukraine
On Sunday, after praying the midday Angelus, Pope Francis asked that today be a Day of Prayer for Peace, and especially for the situation in Ukraine. Today, he begged, “Please, no more war.”
I ask you to pray the Our Father for peace in Ukraine, now and throughout this Day. Let us ask the Lord to grant that the country may grow in the spirit of brotherhood, and that all hurts, fears and divisions will be overcome.
We have spoken about the Holocaust. But let us think too that [in Ukraine] millions of people were killed [1932-1933]. They are a people who have suffered; they have suffered from hunger, suffered from much brutality and they deserve peace. May the prayers and supplications that today rise up to heaven touch the minds and hearts of world leaders, so that dialogue may prevail and the common good be placed ahead of partisan interests. Please, no more war.
This only happens to old people …
The Pope also said that he wouldn’t walk along the aisle of the Hall to greet the people, because of inflammation in his knee. He made it into a joke about his age:
And allow me to explain to you that I will not be able to go among you today to greet you, because I have a problem with my right leg; a ligament in my knee is inflamed. But I will come down and greet you there [at the foot of the stage] and you will be able to pass by to say hello. It’s a passing thing. They say this only comes to old people, and I don’t know why it has come to me, but… I don’t know.
To all, always, my blessing.
And today we celebrate...