Pope holds first general audience

VATICAN CITY, March 27 (UPI) -- Pope Francis conducted his first general audience Wednesday before thousands who filled St. Peter's Square in the Vatican.

"I am happy to welcome you to this, my first general audience," he said. The pope then offered a catachesis, a teaching summary of doctrine, in a wide-ranging address focused on Holy Week, the days prior to Easter, the Vatican Information Service reported.

"God didn't wait for us to come to him, it was He who came to us. Jesus lived the everyday reality of the most common persons. His mission is to open the doors of God for all," the pope said.

He later addressed various groups in attendance, including university students attending the international UNIV Congress in Rome, the Vatican Information Service said.