General Audience of Nov. 18 - Pope appeals for children's rights

(November 18, 2009) Every week on Wednesday, the Pope holds a public meeting, called the general audience, during which pilgrims and tourists who come to Rome have a chance of seeing and hearing him speak. The Holy Father delivers a spiritual reflection and greets various groups in their languages, including in English. The General Audience of Nov. 18 was held in the Vatican’s Paul VI Audience Hall. It began with several aides reading a scripture passage in various languages. An aide greeted the Pope on behalf of the English-speaking pilgrims, and presented the various groups to him. Pope Benedict then delivered a reflection in English.
Listen:
 My dear Brothers and Sisters,
In our catechesis on the Christian culture of the Middle Ages, we now turn to the monastic reform linked to the great I have been speaking in recent weeks about medieval theology, and would now like to turn my attention to how the Christian faith of the Middle Ages inspired some of the greatest works of art of all time: the cathedrals of Europe. Romanesque cathedrals are distinctive for their size and for introducing to churches beautiful sculpture, including the image of Christ as the Universal Judge and the Gate of Heaven. By entering through Him, as it were, the faithful enter a space and even a time different from everyday life, somewhere they can anticipate eternal life through their participation in the liturgy. Gradually, Gothic architecture replaced the Romanesque, adding height and luminosity to the previous style. The Gothic cathedral translates the aspirations of the soul into architectural lines, and is a synthesis between faith, art and beauty which still raises our hearts and minds to God today. When faith encounters art, in particular in the liturgy, a profound synthesis is created, making visible the Invisible, and the two great architectural styles of the Middle Ages demonstrate how beauty is a powerful means to draw us closer to the Mystery of God. May the Lord help us to rediscover that “way of beauty”, surely one of the best ways to know and to love Almighty God.
I am pleased to greet all the English-speaking pilgrims present at today’s audience, especially the board members of the World Union of Catholic Women’s Organizations. Upon you all I cordially invoke God’s abundant blessings!

After speaking to other groups in their languages, Pope Benedict made a heartfelt appeal for the rights of children worldwide. He reminded all of the upcoming World Day of Prayer and Action for Children at the United Nations on the occasion of the Nov. 20^th Universal Children's Day which this year marks the 20^th anniversary of the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Speaking in Italian, the Pope said his thoughts go to all the children of the world, particularly those who live in difficult conditions and suffer because of violence, abuse, sickness and war or hunger. While urging all to join him in prayers, the Holy Father appealed to the international community to increase efforts for an adequate response to the dramatic problems of childhood. He called for the generous commitment of all so that children’s rights be recognized and their dignity always respected.