During his General Audience, the Pope described Jesus' preaching as surprising, healing, joyful, full of light, and free.
The Pope called attention to the closing of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.
"The images and accounts of this tragic event are a strong plea to all consciences."
The Pope said Jesus was "an unsurpassed model" of proclaiming the Gospel by his "gestures and words."
After the series of catecheses on discernment, the Pope announced his new series dedicated to the passion for evangelization.
The Pope said that when the Christian life loses sight of this dimension, ''it is lost, it grows sick: it closes in on itself, becomes self- referential and it withers."
"Beware of people who do not feel fragile. They are controlling," the he warns.
"Confronting our life with another person who has experience is of great help in getting to know ourselves," the Pope said.
"I would like us to join with those next door who are paying tribute to Benedict XVI"
The Pope said of the Pope Emeritus that "in silence he is sustaining the Church."
During the Pope's catechesis on discernment, the Pope recalled a story from his life in Argentina.
Christmas was in the air during the Pope Francis' General Audience.
Pope Francis gave his final catechesis before Christmas.
The Pope continued with his weekly catechesis on discernment.
At the end of his General Audience, Pope Francis expressed his hope that the World Cup would be a first step to a more fraternal coexistence.
During his Catechesis, the Pope discussed inter-religious peace and emphasized the importance of engaging in dialogue.
The Pope recommended that Christians make an examination of conscience each night to observe hos God acts in their lives.
He encouraged the audience members to embrace the habit of a nightly examination of conscience so they may understand themselves better and increase their obedience to God's will.
The Pope specifically prayed for all mothers in honor of the Feast of the Nativity of Mary. He expressed his closeness to all mothers, especially mothers who suffer with their children.
During his second week of catechesis on discernment, the Pope reflected on the life of St. Ignatius of Loyola, saying that the lives of the saints can speak to us.
The Pope asked for prayers for the people in Baghdad following protests near the Parliament building, which left 22 people dead.
The Pope reminded the pilgrims present that discernment means knowing oneself and having a relationship with God.
The Pope also explained that, just as Jesus did not lose his wounds nor his humanity when he rose from the dead, we too "will recognize the faces of the people we love."
He recalled war crimes on both sides—from the soldiers who have died fighting to the murder of the daughter of a Russian philosopher in Moscow.
