Pope Francis: How can we better listen to the Holy Spirit?

Holy Spirit window - St Peter's Basilica ICN

Source: Vatican Media

During his Regina Caeli address from his window of the Apostolic Palace, to pilgrims gathered in St Peter's Square, on the Solemnity of Pentecost, Pope Francis urged them to ask themselves how well they listen to the Holy Spirit, and offered suggestions on how to better do so, including meditating on the Gospel daily and staying close to the Lord in prayer.

Highlighting that in the day's Gospel, Jesus speaks about the descent of the Holy Spirit upon Mary and the Apostles, and says that He will teach us "whatever He hears," the Pope asked: "what does this expression mean? What has the Holy Spirit heard? What will He speak about?"

Pope Francis said, He speaks to us with words that express wonderful feelings, such as affection, gratitude, entrustment, and mercy, "that reveal to us a beautiful, luminous, concrete, and lasting relationship, such as the eternal Love of God."

They are precisely the transformative words of love," which the Holy Spirit repeats in us, and, which are good for us to hear, "because they give rise to and nurture in our hearts the same feelings and intentions."

For this reason, he said, it is important to nourish ourselves with them every day by reading a piece of the Gospel, which we can do easily by "having a small pocket Gospel that we carry around with us."

Listening to the Lord's Word, and channeling Him in personal prayer and adoration, he suggested, helps us make room in ourselves for the voice of the Holy Spirit. Even in saying good words to each other, he added, we also become for one other "an echo of the gentle voice of the Consoler."

"Reading and meditating on the Gospel, praying in silence, saying good words: they are not difficult things; we can all do them."

Therefore, Pope Francis invited faithful to ask themselves, "What place do these actions have in my life? How can I cultivate them to better listen to the Holy Spirit and become an echo of Him for others?"

Pope Francis concluded by imploring the Blessed Mother, who was present at Pentecost with the Apostles, to make us docile to the voice of the Holy Spirit.

Following the midday Regina Caeli Pope Francis prayed that the Holy Spirit may instil harmony in our hearts and world leading to peace in Palestine, Israel, Ukraine, an end to all the many wars today.

He recalled that on Pentecost Sunday, we remember how the Holy Spirit creates harmony out of different, and sometimes even conflicting realities. He called on everyone to pray that the Holy Spirit, "the Love of the Father and of the Son," may instil harmony in hearts, families, societies, and our entire world.

The Pope prayed that the Holy Spirit may strengthen communion and fraternity among Christians of different traditions, and especially help leaders of nations to gain the courage to make efforts in favour of dialogue that lead to an end to wars. He lamented the many wars in our world today, mentioning in particular Ukraine and the city of Kharkiv which suffered an attack two days ago.

The Pope prayed for peace in the Holy Land, Palestine, Israel, and the many places where wars are taking place. "May the Spirit lead world leaders and each one of us to open doors and pathways to peace," he stressed.

In conclusion, the Pope thanked the people of Verona for their warm welcome and hospitality on Saturday, where he made a day-long pastoral visit. He recalled in particular his visit with prison inmates who he said showed him once again the vitality of life, humanity, and hope that exists behind the prison walls.

He also greeted the various groups in St Peter's Square, including one from Timor-Leste, where he is scheduled to visit in September 2024 along with Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and Singapore.

Watch the Regalia Caeli on Vatican Youtube channel: www.youtube.com/watch?v=bK5YXoOn9I8

Read the text of Pope Francis' address: www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/angelus/2024/documents/20240519-regina-caeli.html