The Holy Spirit strengthens Christians through persecution, even to the point of death, according to Pope Francis.

The Holy Spirit also helps people through trials like gossip and criticism, the Pope said during Mass at the Santa Marta guesthouse where he lives in the Vatican.

Significantly, he referred to Lydia, a prominent businesswoman from Thyateira described in the Bible as a dealer in purple cloth. Many people believe Lydia had a leadership role in the early church as a pastor, and her story has been used by supporters of women priests to argue their case.

Pope Francis said: "This woman felt something inside her which made her say 'this is true! And I agree with what this man says, this man who gives witness to Jesus Christ,'" said the Pope.

"It was the Holy Spirit who made this woman feel that Jesus was the Lord; it made her know that salvation was in Paul's words; it made this woman hear witness. The Spirit gives witness to Jesus. And each time we feel something in our heart that draws us closer to Jesus, it's the Spirit which is working inside us."

The Pope said that "bearing witness" also comes with persecution, from "the little persecutions of gossip," to the greater kind of persecution of which "the history of the Church is full: that place Christians in prison or make them even give up their lives."