The Pope arrives late, 'sorry, more audiences together'

" Sorry for the delay but the Vatican program has scheduled several audiences at the same time and soon I also have the general audience in St. Peter's Square": this is how Pope Leo apologized for the delay in receiving the National Italian American Foundation in the Vatican.

Meeting with the delegation of Italian-Americans, the Pope recalled that " tens of millions of Americans proudly claim their Italian heritage , even though their ancestors came to the United States of America generations ago. Your commitment to continuing to educate young people about Italian culture and history, as well as providing scholarships and other charitable assistance in both countries, helps maintain a concrete and mutually beneficial bond between the two nations. A hallmark of many immigrants to the United States from Italy," Leo XIV emphasized, "was their Catholic faith, with its rich traditions of popular piety and devotion that they continued to practice in their new nation. This faith sustained them in difficult times , even when they arrived with a sense of hope for a prosperous future in their new country."

The Pope then invited the National Italian American Foundation, "in an age afflicted by many challenges," to remember "the many saints who have strengthened the Church in difficult periods of history" and thus to "renew your sense of hope and confidence in the future ." "I pray that each of you and your families will always guard the rich spiritual and cultural heritage that you have inherited from those who have gone before you," Pope Leo concluded in his audience with Italian Americans.

The Pontiff then arrived at St. Peter's Square and took a tour in the Popemobile to greet the faithful before the general audience. The square is full of pilgrims and faithful, many flags from different countries of the world. There are also folk groups, for example from Mexico, with the traditional clothes of their countries. The Pope blesses the children, greets, and also signed a baseball.

" Our life is valuable" and must not be sold off, the Pope said at the general audience, continuing his catechesis on hope. "Sometimes, in fact, we have the impression that we are unable to find meaning in our life: we feel useless, inadequate, just like workers waiting in the market square, waiting for someone to take them to work. But sometimes - Pope Leo emphasized - time passes, life goes by and we do not feel recognized or appreciated. Perhaps we did not arrive in time, others showed up before us, or worries have kept us elsewhere. The metaphor of the market square is also very suitable for our times, because the market is the place of business, where unfortunately - the Pontiff commented - affection and dignity are also bought and sold, trying to earn something.

And when you don't feel appreciated, recognized, you even risk selling yourself to the first bidder. The Lord reminds us instead that our life is worth it, and his desire is to help us discover it".

" I would like to say, especially to young people, not to wait , but to respond with enthusiasm to the Lord who calls us to work in his vineyard. Do not delay, roll up your sleeves, because the Lord is generous and you will not be disappointed! Working in his vineyard, you will find an answer to that profound question that you carry within you: what meaning does my life have?", said the Pope continuing the catechesis on hope.

"Dear brothers and sisters, let us not be discouraged! Even in the dark moments of life, when time passes without giving us the answers we seek, let us ask the Lord to come out again and to reach us where we are waiting for him. He is generous and will come soon!", concluded Leo XIV.