"If we live united to Jesus, faithful to Him, we will be able to face the passage of death with hope and serenity," he went on to say, emphasizing that one tends to die in the way that they lived.
"If my life has been a journey with the Lord, of trust in His immense mercy, I will be prepared to accept the last moment of my earthly existence as the definitive and confident abandonment in his welcoming hands."
"This," stated the Pope, "is the most beautiful thing that could happen: to contemplate face to face that wonderful countenance of the Lord."
"To see him as he is, beautiful, full of light, full of love, full of tenderness. We go towards this end: to see the Lord."
Pope Francis then stressed the importance of preparing ourselves for the moment of death, following the invitation of Jesus "to be always ready, vigilant," with the knowledge that "life in this world is also given to prepare for the other life."
A "sure way" to prepare well for our deaths, he reflected, is "staying close to Jesus with prayer, in the Sacraments and also in the practice of charity."
"Solidarity in sharing sorrow and infusing hope is the premise and condition to receive in inheritance the Kingdom prepared for us," emphasized the Pope, stressing that "one who practices mercy does not fear death."
He then asked those present, "Do you agree? Shall we say it together so as not to forget? One who practices mercy does not fear death!"
"And why does he not fear death? Because he looks it in the face in the wounds of brothers, and overcomes it with the love of Jesus Christ."
Pope Francis concluded his audience by encouraging the 70,000 pilgrims present to open their hearts to "our littlest brothers," and by extending a personal greeting to groups from various countries around the world.
Elise Harris was senior Rome correspondent for CNA from 2012 to 2018.