SW News: The late Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, whose funeral took place on Thursday, was honored by Pope Francis at the start of his catechesis at the Wednesday General Audience.

Pope Francis recalls the late Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI as a great master of catechesis, who always sought to help others encounter the Lord. Thousands of pilgrims gathered at the Paul VI Audience Hall of the Vatican for the Pope's address and to pay their respects to the Pope Emeritus lying in state at Saint Peter's Basilica. More than 135,000 people visited the Basilica on Monday and Tuesday.

Pope Francis also wrapped up his teaching series on the subject of discernment by saying that spiritual accompaniment is crucial for developing a deeper sense of self. “We shouldn't be afraid to share our delicate or sensitive sides of who we are since God's grace always works on our nature,” said the Holy Father. And said it might enable us to be tender, merciful, and loving toward others. He claimed that in certain respects, our frailty can be our "true riches."

He claimed that with spiritual guidance, we may frequently see more clearly the genuine course of our life and the subtle operation of God's grace in our hearts. He remarked on how the Gospels describe Jesus having several meetings with people who allowed Him into their hearts and experienced His forgiveness and mercy.

In the end, he also appealed for Ukraine. To help Ukraine, which "suffers a lot and continues to suffer," Pope Francis urged the faithful to stay near and in solidarity with it. The Holy Father additionally exhorted them to keep requesting "the gift of peace" for these "martyred" people.

Following his weekly catechesis, the pope said on Twitter using the handle @pontifex es, "I urge everyone to persist in affectionate closeness and solidarity with the murdered Ukrainian people who suffer so much, calling for them the gift of peace."