Pope Francis holds first audience with cardinals in Vatican

Описание: Pope Francis has told cardinals to urge people to welcome growing old as like being "a good wine that gets better with age".

The 76-year-old laughed and joked with the Cardinals who elected him but gently pointed out to them that they are not getting any younger.

In his first audience in the Vatican's Sala Clementina, Francis momentarily stumbled as he stepped down from the throne after apparently tripping over his robes on a step.

But he appeared undeterred as he addressed the Cardinals, urging them to find "new ways" to spread Christianity "to the ends of the earth" in the 21st Century.

He also praised Pope Benedict's decision to stand down over failing health as a "courageous and humble act".

And he urged them not to give in to "pessimism".

He told them: "Brothers maybe half of us are in old age but age is the seat of wisdom in life.

"Let us give this wisdom to the youth, like good wine that gets better with age."

He added: "Let us not give in to pessimism, to that bitterness that the devil offers us every day."


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