Pope Francis' General Audience: English summary

Dear Brothers and Sisters: In our continuing catechesis on the “Our Father”, we now consider the final petition: “Deliver us from evil”.  This recognises that life is fraught with difficulties, that evil is present in all of our lives, and so this final cry of the “Our Father” powerfully confronts the complete range of evil. 

Jesus himself, moreover, has experienced the full impact of evil in his passion: not only death but death on a cross; not just loneliness but scorn; nor merely bad-will but cruelty.  The “Our Father”, resembles a symphony that seeks to be fulfilled in each one of us, for however much we may be subjected to wickedness, Jesus will come to our aid.  And his prayer on the cross – “Father forgive them for they know not what they do” – bequeaths us the most precious patrimony: the presence of the Son of God who delivers us from evil.  Indeed, from here flows the gift of his peace, which is stronger than every evil; and herein lies our hope!