'Do not be dominated by material things,' Pope tells faithful at start of Advent

Pope Francis has said Advent is an invitation to “sobriety, to not be dominated by the things of this world”.

Pope Francis was speaking to the faithful in St Peter's Square on Sunday as he marked the start of the new liturgical year at the Angelus for the First Sunday of Advent, Vatican Radio reports.

The Pope added that Catholics should not be overpowered by a concern for material things and said Advent is “an invitation to vigilance, because, not knowing when He will come, we must always be ready to depart.”