"The Lord always surprises us": Pope Francis

The pope added that it is foolish for someone to think that just by studying theology or taking catechesis classes one can “know everything about Jesus.”

“Perhaps, after many years as believers, we think we know the Lord well, with our ideas and our judgments, very often. The risk is that we get accustomed, we get used to Jesus,” he said.

“And in this way, how do we grow accustomed? We close ourselves off, we close ourselves off to his newness, to the moment in which he knocks on our door and asks you something new, and wants to enter into you. We must stop being fixed in our positions.”

After praying the Angelus prayer in Latin with the crowd, the pope greeted a group of children participating in the "Caravan of Peace" organized by Catholic Action, who released colorful balloons into the sky.

As he watched the balloons ascend, Pope Francis said: “It is a sign of hope that the young people of Rome are bringing to us today.”

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The pope extended greetings to those in East Asia and other parts of the world who will celebrate the Lunar New Year on February 1.

“How beautiful it is when families find opportunities to gather together and experience moments of love and joy,” he said.

“Many families, unfortunately, will not be able to get together this year because of the pandemic. I hope that we will soon be able to overcome the ordeal.”

Pope Francis also highlighted World Leprosy Day, which occurs each year on the last Sunday of January. He appealed for both spiritual and medical assistance for those suffering from leprosy, officially called Hansen's Disease.

“It is necessary to work together towards the full integration of these people, overcoming every form of discrimination associated with a sickness that unfortunately still afflicts many people, especially in the most disadvantaged social contexts,” he said.

The pope extended a special greeting to all Salesian priests and religious on the eve of the feast of Saint John Bosco, adding that he had followed the Mass offered in the Basilica of Our Lady Help of Christians in Turin, Italy.

“We think of this great saint, father and teacher of the young. He did not shut himself up in the sacristy. He did not close himself off in his own things. He went out into the streets to look for young people, with the creativity that was his hallmark,” Pope Francis said.

Courtney Mares is a Rome Correspondent for Catholic News Agency. A graduate of Harvard University, she has reported from news bureaus on three continents and was awarded the Gardner Fellowship for her work with North Korean refugees.