"L'excès vous rend esclaves", avertit le pape François aux chrétiens

A large crowd attended the Angelus despite the powerful midday sun, which pushed the temperature in the stone-paved square up to 90 degrees Fahrenheit.

Many wore hats or umbrellas to protect themselves from the rays and, despite the heat, enthusiastically welcomed the Pope as he appeared at the window of the Apostolic Palace.

Pope Francis invited those present to reflect on "what happens in our families or communities when we make do with what is necessary, even with little...".

"Indeed, a family or community that lives in this way creates around itself an environment rich in love, in which it is easier to open up to faith and to the newness of the Gospel, and from which we emerge better, more serene", he declared.

"If, on the contrary," he stressed, "everyone goes their own way, if what counts are things - which are never enough - if we don't listen to one another, if individualism and envy prevail... the air becomes heavy, life difficult, and encounters become more an occasion for restlessness, sadness and discouragement, than an occasion for joy.

"Envy is a deadly thing, a poison", added the Pope, while noting that "communion, harmony among ourselves and sobriety are important, indispensable values for a Church to be missionary at every level".

After praying the Angelus in Latin, Pope Francis spoke of Sea Sunday, which the Church commemorates on July 14.

Sea Sunday is the day on which the Church remembers and prays for all those who work at sea, often in dangerous and lonely conditions.

"On this Sea Sunday, let us pray for those who work in the maritime sector and for those who care for them," urged Francis.

He also asked Our Lady of Mount Carmel, whose feast day is set for July 16, to "comfort and obtain peace for all populations oppressed by the horror of war".

"Let us not forget, please, Ukraine, Palestine, Israel and Myanmar, which are tormented," said the Pontiff.