Pope Francis’ General Audience: English summary

Dear Brothers and Sisters: In our continuing catechesis on the Beatitudes, we now turn to the seventh Beatitude: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God” (Mt 5:9).  One kind of peace can be seen in the biblical term Shalom, which signifies an abundant, flourishing life.  A second idea is the modern notion of interior serenity.  Yet this second type of peace is incomplete since spiritual growth often occurs precisely when our tranquillity has somehow been disturbed.  In this Easter season we see Jesus bringing the gift of his own peace, a fruit of his death and resurrection.  The Lord bestows his gift not as the world does – where “peace” is often purchased at the expense of others – but by destroying hostility in his own person (cf. Eph 2:14).  A peacemaker, then, is someone who, by God’s grace, imitates Jesus in bringing reconciliation to others by giving of themselves, always and everywhere!  Those who do so are true children of God and show us the way of true happiness.  Once again, I wish you all a happy Easter, in the peace of Christ!

I greet the English-speaking faithful joining us through the media.  In the joy of the Risen Christ, I invoke upon you and your families the loving mercy of God our Father.  May the Lord bless you!