Giving a virtual General Audience from the Apostolic Library on Wednesday, Pope Francis reflected on the value of human life, in honor of the solemnity of the Annunciation and the 25th anniversary of the encyclical Evangelium Vitae.

Pope Francis pointed out that the Gospel of life resonates in a particular way during this time of pandemic. He said, “With gratitude I call to mind the quiet witness of the many people who today are doing all they can to help the sick, elderly, poor and lonely.  They are putting the Gospel of life into practice, like Mary who accepted the angel’s message and then went to visit her elderly kinswoman Elizabeth.”

Ashley Noronha, Relevant Radio® Rome Correspondent, explained, “Pope Francis went on to say that in all of our hearts, each of us has to know that every single person is unique, is unrepeatable, and is in need of solidarity. And so, of course, that is something that we’re seeing happening in different ways throughout the world. Of people who are coming together during this difficult time.”

Pope Francis also renewed his call for Christians around the world to unite in praying the Lord’s Prayer for an end to the coronavirus pandemic.

He said, “Shortly, at midday, we Pastors of the various Christian communities, together with the faithful of the various denominations, will gather spiritually to invoke God with the recitation of the Our Father. Let us unite our voices to beseech the Lord in these days of suffering, as the world is sorely tried by the pandemic. May the Lord, good and merciful, grant the concerted prayer of His children who, with trustful hope, turn to His omnipotence.”

Relevant Radio® listeners had the opportunity to join in this prayer yesterday, as the Our Father was prayed on-air at noon in each of the time zones that Relevant Radio covers with our terrestrial stations. Also in this spirit of solidarity and prayer that Pope Francis has called for, nearly 100,000 people have joined the Prayer vs. Pandemic movement to pray daily for an end to the pandemic. If you haven’t yet joined us – sign up today! If you have already joined the movement, invite seven friends to join us today!