Scottish Catholic Observer

Pope Francis gave his audience at St Peter’s Square a ‘repeat prescription’ at his weekly Angelus yesterday.

The Pope distributed boxes of Misericordin, a box designed like medicine packaging that contained Rosary beads and an image of the merciful Jesus in order to mark the Transfiguration of Jesus during the Year of Mercy.

Volunteer groups of homeless people and refugees distributed the boxes among the crowds.

“Lent is a good time to complete a journey of conversion that has mercy at its centre,” the Pope told the audience.

“Welcome this gift as a spiritual aid in order to spread love, forgiveness and brotherhood.”

This box was previously distributed in November 2013, in order to mark the conclusion of the Year of Faith.

During his audience, the Pope described his recent visit to Mexico where he celebrated Mass at the border with the US (above) and visited the Sanctuary of Guadalupe.

Reflecting on the ‘love and compassion’ the Blessed Virgin has for the many pilgrims who come to her with their sorrows and in particular, Catholics from the Americas.

“They come to pray at the place where the Virgen Morenita showed herself to the Indian Juan Diego, giving a beginning to the evangelisation of the continent and to its new civilization, the fruit of the encounter between different cultures.”

Catholics in Mexico today, the Pope added, are called ‘to guard the riches of diversity, and, at the same time, to manifest the harmony of the common faith.’

Pope Francis offered thanks “to the Lord and to the Virgin of Guadalupe” for the Voyage but also the people of Mexico who showed “testimony of a clear and strong faith, a lived faith, a faith that transfigures life.”

At the same time, the Pope reflected on his historic meeting in Cuba with Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia and prayed that “the Mother of God might continue to guide us in the journey to unity.”