Holy Father Pope Francis while addressing the faithful gathered for his weekly General Audience, at St. Peter’s Square, conveyed the significance of Holy Mass and has begun a new series of catechesis focusing on the Eucharist. His Holiness highlighted that the Holy Mass is the very heart of the Church and the source of her life.

As reported by Vatican radio, Holy Father Pope Francis remarked that “How many martyrs have died to defend the Eucharist! Their witness confirms our Lord’s promise that by partaking of his body and blood we pass with him from death to life.” Further, His Holiness added, “At every celebration of Mass, our lives, offered in union with Christ’s sacrifice on the cross, become, in him, an offering of praise and thanksgiving pleasing to the Father, for the salvation of the world.”

His Holiness concluded his message by reminding that at Mass, Jesus becomes truly present and allows us in some way, like the Apostle Thomas, to touch his flesh and renew our faith in him and exhorted that in coming weeks, will seek to grow in our appreciation of this great gift, so as to share more fully in its spiritual riches and beauty, which give ultimate meaning and direction to our lives.