Pope Francis invokes St Patrick at General Audience

Pope Francis ended his General Audience with thousands of pilgrims in St Peter's Square yesterday by invoking St Patrick, the Apostle to Ireland.

After his usual greetings for overseas groups, young people, the sick and infirm, and newlyweds, Pope Francis said: "Tomorrow we will commemorate St Patrick, the apostle of Ireland."

"May his spiritual stamina stir you, dear young people, to be consistent with your faith; his trust in Christ the Saviour sustains you, dear sick and infirm people, in times of great difficulty; and his missionary dedication reminds you, dear newlyweds, of the importance of the Christian education of your children," he concluded.

Source: Vatican Radio