Pope Francis: Be patient with those who hurt or annoy you

During his General Audience with pilgrims in St Peter's Square on Wednesday, Pope Francis drew inspiration from the spiritual work of mercy, to bear wrongs patiently. He said that in showing patience to those who wrong us and to those we find irritating, "we imitate God's own patience with us sinners."

"it also happens at times that annoying people are the ones closest to us..." Among relatives there is "always someone.. There are also people who irritate us in the workplace and even in our spare time."

Pope Francis went on to say that in the Bible there are many examples of God's patience and recalled the patience Jesus had during the three years of his public life. Exercising patience with others, the Pope said, "challenges us to reflect on our own conduct and failings. He also noted, the patience shown by the any parents, catechists and teachers who, he said, "quietly help young people to grow in faith and knowledge of the important things in life."

At the end of his Audience Pope Francis prayed for the victims of the recent earthquake in Central Italy.

Source: Vatican Radio