Posts Tagged ‘Pope Benedict XVI’

Pope Benedict XVI: No violence in the name of God

Pope Benedict XVI

Newscast Media VATICAN CITY — Pope Benedict XVI prayed that the year 2012 be lived by all under the sign of reciprocal respect and of the common good, and expressing the hope that no act of violence be committed in the name of God, Who is the Supreme Guarantor of justice and peace.

The Pope’s prayer came at the end of remarks he delivered during a special audience for the officers and functionaries of the Italian State Police detail charged with serving the area of St. Peter’s and the Vatican.

The Holy Father expressed to all his personal gratitude and that of his collaborators for what he called, “the precious and delicate work” that they do in maintaining public order, guaranteeing security and tranquility to the millions of pilgrims and tourists who visit the square and the Basilica each year.

The Pope encouraged the officers and functionaries of the Inspectorate to be authentic promoters of justice and sincere builders of peace. http://www.newscastmedia.com/pope-benedict.html

Pope Benedict XVI urges youth to be witnesses of hope and confidence

Pope Benedict XVI

Newscast Media MADRID, Spain — On his arrival in Madrid Benedict XVI invites the youth to be witnesses of hope and confidence. The current crisis confirms the necessity for an ethical foundation to place the economy at the service of man…

Read or download full text of the Holy Father’s homily.

We cannot recover from the crisis which continues to embroil the world if we are not ready to recognize that the economy is not measured according to the logic of profit but according to the common good, through responsibility for others, for one’s own nation, for the world and for the future. In this logic, the concept of duty also plays its part, especially in Europe, to protect the planet and guarantee work for everyone. With his thoughts turned to the great questions which confront human society today, Benedict XVI began his trip to Madrid, Thursday morning, August 18th, for the 26th World Youth Day.

The Pope placed a triple mission in the hands of young people: to make visible the presence of God, to open borders and create space for friendship. For these reasons, World Youth Day needs to continue. Aboard the papal plane en route to Madrid, the Pope answered questions from some of the 56 media journalists and operators traveling with him; only part of the nearly 5,000 accredited media who will guarantee wide coverage of the event.

The first question on the connection between World Youth Day and its creator, John Paul II, Pope Ratzinger spoke of “an inspiration,” and “a great idea” on the part of the Polish Pontiff. World Youth Days are a, “cascade of light, a signal.” They make the faith and the presence of God in the world visible, increasing young people’s “courage” to believe. Thanks to these meetings, in fact, believers do not feel alone and are able to experience “the large network” of faith and friendship. A network, explained the Pope, which links the world and God, and represents, “and important reality for the future of humanity.”

As to the second question on the crisis and involvement of young people in recent protests, Benedict XVI reaffirmed the concept of the centrality of man and the necessity of an ethical foundation in economic processes. As for young people, the Pontiff was very clear: “if the youth of today have no prospects, our today has made a mistake.” The Church, for its part, in its social doctrine, “opens many up to the possibility of renouncing profit and seeing things in the religious and humanistic dimension, that is to live for one another.” Thanks to God, the Pope added, “a better world is possible.”

Dialogue and tolerance were the topics of the third question. Benedict XVI took the occasion to reiterate that, “truth is accessible only in freedom. You can impose upon others through violence…but not the truth! Truth is only open to freedom and free consent: freedom and truth are so intimately united, that the one is the condition for the other.”

Finally, returning to the topic of the first question, the Pope said that World Youth Day is not quantifiable in terms of numbers and statistics because, “God always sows seeds in silence.” It is a “message of hope,” the Pope said again in his first address upon arrival in Madrid, which fills “us with confidence before the future” and gives young people “a reason to hope” despite worries and difficulties.

http://www.newscastmedia.com/youthday2011.html

Pope Benedict XVI names two U.S. cardinals among 24 new ones

Pope Benedict XVI

Newscast Media VATICAN CITY, Vatican –The head of the Catholic church, Pope Benedict XVI, named 24 new cardinals Wednesday, putting his mark on the body that will elect his successor and giving a boost to Italian hopes to regain the papacy. Benedict said the new “princes of the church” will be formally elevated at a ceremony in Rome on Nov. 20, making the announcement “with joy” at the end of his weekly public audience.

The new cardinals include Archbishop Donald Wuerl of Washington, D.C., and Archbishop Raymond Burke, an American who leads the Vatican’s supreme court and has been sharply critical of the U.S. Democratic Party for its support of abortion rights.

Among the new cardinals are two Americans and prelates from key posts in Europe, Latin America, Asia and Africa.

Other key posts include Warsaw, Poland; Munich; Kinshasa, Congo; Quito, Equador; Aparecida, Brazil; Lusaka, Zambia; Colombo, Sri Lanka; and the leader in Egypt of the Catholic Coptic church, who is currently heading a Vatican meeting on the plight of Christians in the Middle East.

Cardinals are close advisers to a pope, but their key job is to elect the pontiff. With the installation of the new cardinals, Benedict in just five years has named nearly half of the 120 prelates under the age of 80 and therefore eligible to vote in a conclave following the death of a pope. Eight of the new cardinals under 80 are Italians, giving them a total of 25 nearly half of the Europeans in the electing body of the College of Cardinals.

Italians held the papacy for 455 years until the election of Poland’s John Paul II in 1978, followed by the German-born Benedict in 2005. http://newscastmedia.com/cardinals.htm

Churches Embrace Pope Benedict XVI’s Visit To England

Pope Benedict XVI

Newscast Media –Across Great Britain, churches are waiting in eager anticipation for the Pope’s four-day visit which begins on Thursday in Edinburgh, where he will meet Scottish Catholic leaders before traveling to Glasgow to hold an open air mass in Bellahouston Park in the evening.

Churches including the Methodist Church, United Reform Church, Church of God of Prophecy, Church of England, Salvation Army, the Baptist Union of Great Britain and many more have opened their arms and spoken of their hope for a renewed common witness, following the Pope’s visit to the UK this week.

In a joint statement, the Presidents of Churches Together in England, Archbishops Rowan Williams and Vincent Nichols, and Salvation Army Commissioner Betty Matear said, “As the Presidents of Churches Together in England, we welcome Pope Benedict XVI to the United Kingdom.

“We rejoice in knowing that many Christians have prayed for him in preparation for his visit, and welcome his ministry amongst us.

“We look forward to joining Pope Benedict in Westminster Abbey for the celebration of Evening Prayer, which will be a significant stage in his pilgrimage.

“We pray that through our celebration of Christian faith the Church, led by the kindly light of Christ, may be renewed in its witness to the unity and hope which is Christ’s will for all people.”

This will be the first visit to Britain by a pontiff since John Paul II in 1989. During his stay, Pope Benedict will also meet the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister.

http://newscastmedia.com/benedict.htm