Continuing his series of Wednesday catechetical addresses on mercy,
Pope Francis devoted November 23 general audience to two spiritual works
of mercy: instructing the ignorant and counseling the doubtful.“These two works are related and both can be practiced daily in our families and communities,” the Pope said to those gathered in Paul VI Audience Hall, according to the official English-language synthesis of his remarks.
“The Church’s mission of evangelization has always been accompanied by teaching and the founding of schools, since education promotes the dignity of the person and provides for the full development of his or her God-given gifts,” he continued. “Illiteracy and lack of access to education are in fact a form of poverty and injustice.”
After praising education for developing the ability to think critically – “by raising questions,” he said, “it also helps us to find satisfying answers” – the Pope turned to the importance of counseling the doubtful:
It is a true work of mercy to counsel those troubled by doubts about the meaning of life or shaken in their faith. Let us be grateful to all who devote themselves to this work through catechesis and religious education.