Pope admits feeling moments of emptiness

Vatican City March 9 (IANS/AKI) Pope Francis says he has experienced times of emptiness and spiritual dark when he prayed to God for strength.

In an interview to German weekly news magazine Die Zeit published on Thursday the Pope asked if he had ever doubted the existence of God said: I too know these empty moments.

He spoke about the spiritual dark moments in his own life when he has said: Lord I don t understand this.

Faith is a gift he said when asked what people should do if they lose or doubt their religious belief.

One cannot recover one s faith on one s own but must ask it from God: I ask and He responds. Sooner or later eh? But at times you have to wait in a crisis.

But crises also provide an opportunity to grow he said.

Giving the example of adolescence he added: Even biological growth is a crisis no? The crisis of a child who becomes an adult. And faith is the same.

The leader of the world s 1.3 billion Catholics stressed in the interview that he did not want a cult following to build around his persona and does not consider himself to be special in any way.

I too am a sinner and am fallible Francis stated.

--IANS/AKI
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