Pope’s International Women’s Day message

Pope Francis thanked women for their commitment to building a more humane society during his general audience on International Women’s Day.

He said: “A special blessing for all the women in the square. And a round of applause for women! They deserve it!”

The Holy Father later greeted the sick, the elderly, newlyweds and young people.

“In these days of Lent, walk even more courageously in the footsteps of Christ, seeking to imitate his humility and faithfulness to the divine will,” he said. He also continued to pray for the people affected by the war in Ukraine.

“Please, dear brothers and sisters, let us not forget the pain of the battered Ukrainian people, they suffer so much… let us always have them present in our hearts and in our prayers.”

The Vatican has announced that Pope Francis will make an Apostolic Journey to Hungary from April 28 to 30.