Pope’s address to Papal Foundation

(May 2, 2009) At a time of economic crisis when people are tempted to turn in on themselves ignoring the helpless and those without a voice, Pope Benedict urged Christians to be beacons of hope, strength and support for the less fortunate. “For this reason I am pleased to have you here today,” he told some 150 members of the Papal Foundation, a Catholic organization based in the United States, which aims at supporting the ministry of the Holy Father. The group that makes an annual visit to the Pope, operates service projects around the world, with a particular focus on the Church in Eastern Europe, the poor and starving in Africa, and wherever there is a particular need. “You are examples of good Christian men and women who continue to meet the challenges we face with courage and trust,” the Pope told the group. He also urged for prayers for his visit to the Holy Land starting next week, saying he hopes the region may receive the gifts of reconciliation, hope and peace. “I go as a pilgrim of peace,” the Pope said, noting that for more than sixty years, this region - the land of our Lord’s birth, death and Resurrection, a sacred place for the world’s three great monotheistic religions - has been plagued by violence and injustice.” “This,” he said, “has led to a general atmosphere of mistrust, uncertainty and fear, often pitting neighbour against neighbour, brother against brother.” As Pope Benedict was preparing for this significant journey, he urged members of the Papal Foundation to join him in prayer for all the peoples of the Holy Land and the region so they my receive God’s gifts of reconciliation, hope and peace.