Holy Father Pope Francis while addressing the faithful gathered at St. Peter’s Square for his general audience meet continued his series of reflections dedicated to the Sacraments. His Holiness Pope Francis focused on the Sacrament of Confirmation, which he said, owes its name to the fact that it “confirms” the grace of our Baptism.
As reported by Vatican news, Holy Father Pope Francis remarked that “Only the Spirit of Christ can make us salt that gives taste and light that illuminates the world. During Confirmation, we are anointed with the chrism – the oil mixed with perfume that has been consecrated by the bishop – so that we can bear witness to Christ before the world. That’s why we speak of being Anointed by the Holy Spirit”. Further, His Holiness added, “With Baptism one is reborn to a new life while with Confirmation we are given the strength to go forward as Christians. Without the strength of the Holy Spirit, we can do nothing: it is the Spirit that gives us the strength to move forward. In Confirmation, we are given the great gift of the Holy Spirit.”
His Holiness concluded his remarks by specially greeting a group of pilgrims from Ukraine who were present in the square and he prayed to the Lord to heal the wounds inflicted by the war in Ukraine.
