(23 Aug. 2006) : It is a traditional practice with the Pope to hold a public meeting,
called the General Audience, every Wednesday with pilgrims and tourists who come to
Rome and want to see him. During the general audience he delivers a spiritual reflection
and greets various groups in their languages, including in English. On Wednesday 23
August, the Pontiff kept his appointment with thousands of faithful and pilgrims,
who had gathered in Vatica’s Pope Paul VI hall. Pope Benedict’s catechesis began with
an aide reading a passage from the book of Revelation. Pope Benedict then read a
summary of his catechesis in several languages. Addressing the English-speaking pilgrims,
the Pope said:
Dear Brothers and Sisters, “Continuing our reflections on the
teaching of the Apostle John, we now consider the Book of Revelation. The seer of
Patmos, identified with the Apostle, is granted a series of visions meant to reassure
the Christians of Asia amid the persecutions and trials of the end of the first century.
John’s central vision is that of the Lamb once slain, who now stands victoriously
before God’s throne, sharing in the Father’s kingship and power (5:6ff.). He alone
is able to open the mysterious book closed with seven seals and to reveal, in the
light of his own triumph over persecution and death, the ultimate meaning of history
in God’s providential plan. The certain unfolding of God’s victory is seen in John’s
visions of the Woman who gives birth to a Son destined to rule the nations (12:1ff.),
the final defeat of the Dragon, and the heavenly Jerusalem, prepared as a bride adorned
for the wedding feast (21:2ff.). As his book draws to an end, John invites Christians
of every time and place to trust in the victory of the Lamb and to hope for the coming
of God’s Kingdom: “Come, Lord Jesus!” (22:20).”
After the Catechesis, the
Pontiff greeted the pilgrims in various languages. To the English-speaking visitors
he said, “I am happy to greet all the English-speaking visitors present at today’s
Audience, including the pilgrims from Taiwan, Japan and the United States of America.
May your visit to Rome renew your faith in the Church, the bride of Christ, and may
the Lord’s definitive victory over all evil fill you with hope and courage. I invoke
upon you God’s blessings of joy and peace.”
Pope Benedict concluded the audience
with his Apostolic Blessing.