Pope returns from Mongolia pleased to enter into dialogue with Asia

Vatican City, Sep 6 (EFE) - (Camera: Antonello Nusca) Pope Francis said on Wednesday that "it is good to enter into dialogue" with Asia and "to know its wisdom" during the Wednesday general audience at the Vatican, after returning from his recent trip to Mongolia.

"I have been to the heart of Asia and it has been good for me. It does me good to enter into dialogue with that great continent, to welcome the messages, to know the wisdom, the way of looking at things, of embracing time and space," the pontiff told the thousands of faithful gathered in St Peter's Square at the Vatican.

FOOTAGE OF POPE FRANCIS'S WEDNESDAY GENERAL AUDIENCE AT THE VATICAN AFTER RETURNING FROM HIS RECENT TRIP TO MONGOLIA. INCLUDES PART OF HIS ADDRESS BY POPE FRANCIS.

Translation:

1. I have been to the heart of Asia and it has done me good. It is good to enter into dialogue with this great continent, to welcome the messages, to get to know the wisdom, the way of looking at things, of embracing time and space. It was good to meet the Mongolian people, who preserve their roots and traditions, respect their elders and live in harmony with the environment: they are a people who look at the sky and feel the breath of creation. Thinking of the flat and silent expanses of Mongolia, let us be stimulated by the need to widen the confines of our gaze, to be able to see the good that exists in others and to be able to broaden our horizons.

2. It was with deep sorrow that I learned of the fire in a five-storey building in the centre of Johannesburg in South Africa in which more than 70 people died, including several children. I invite you to join me in prayer for the victims and I send a special blessing" to the families of the deceased, as well as to "those who are striving to provide assistance.