At General Audience on August 7, the Holy Father took up the theme of the Holy Spirit in the Incarnation of the Word, beginning with the affirmation of the Creed that Jesus “by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary and became man.”

Pope Francis concluded his catechesis by reflecting on Mary’s question at the Annunciation, “How is this possible?” The Church asks the same question, he said: “How is it possible to proclaim Jesus Christ and His salvation to a world that seems to seek only well-being in this world?” The answer, then and now, is the same, the Pope said, quoting the book of Acts: “You shall receive power from the Holy Spirit.” Without the Holy Spirit, the Pope said, the Church cannot go forward, the Church cannot grow, the Church cannot preach.”

“What is said about the Church in general applies to every single baptized person”, the Pope continued. When we find ourselves “in situations beyond our own strength”, he continued, we do well “to resume our journey with this comforting thought,” by recalling the words of the Angel to Mary, “With God, no-thing will be impossible.” “And if we believe this,” he said, “we will per-form miracles. Nothing is impossible for God.”