AVatican Radio translation of Pope Benedict XVI’s General Audience catechesis
Dear brothers and sisters, I would like to dwell upon my recent apostolic
journey to Mexico and Cuba which aroused emotions that are still very much alive in
me. My soul instinctively gives thanks to the Lord: in his providence, He wanted
me to go for the first time as the Successor of Peter to these two countries, which
custody the indelible memory of the visits made by Blessed John Paul II. The bicentennial
of the Independence of Mexico and other Latin American countries, the two decades
of diplomatic relations between Mexico and the Holy See and the fourth centenary of
the discovery of the image of the Virgin of Charity of Cobre in Cuba were the occasions
for my pilgrimage. With it I wanted to embrace the entire continent, inviting everyone
to live together in hope and in a concrete commitment to walk together toward a better
future. I am grateful to the Presidents of Mexico and Cuba, who welcomed me with deference
and courtesy, as well as to other authorities. My heartfelt thanks go to the Archbishops
of León, Santiago de Cuba and La Habana and other venerable Brothers in the Episcopate,
who received me with great affection, as well as their collaborators and all those
who have generously spent themselves for this pastoral visit. They were unforgettable
days of joy and hope, that will remain etched in my heart!
The first stop was
Leon, in Guanajuato state, Mexico's geographical center. Here a large cheering crowd
gave me an extraordinary, jubilant and lively welcome, as a sign of the warm embrace
of an entire population. From the welcoming ceremony I was able to grasp the faith
and the warmth of the priests, consecrated persons and lay faithful. In the presence
of representatives of the institutions, many bishops and representatives of civil
society, I recalled the need for the recognition and protection of fundamental human
rights, among them religious freedom, assuring my closeness to those who suffer from
social ills, old and new conflicts, corruption and violence. I recall with deep gratitude
the endless lines of people along the streets, who accompanied me with enthusiasm.
In those hands that reached out in sign of greeting and affection, in those happy
faces, in the shouts of joy I caught the tenacious hope of Mexican Christians, a hope
still burning in their hearts despite the difficult times of violence, which I did
not fail to deplore, with my heartfelt thoughts for the victims, some of whom I was
able to personally comfort. The same day I met many children and adolescents, who
are the future of the nation and the Church. Their inexhaustible joy, expressed with
loud songs and music, as well as their eyes and their gestures, expressed the strong
desire of all the children of Mexico, Latin America and the Caribbean to live in peace,
serenity and harmony, in a more just and reconciled society.
The disciples
of the Lord must help nurture the joy of being Christian and the joy of belonging
to his Church. The energy to serve Christ in difficult situations and suffering is
also born from this joy. I recalled this truth to the immense crowd that gathered
for the Sunday Eucharistic celebration in León’s Bicentennial Park. I urged everyone
to trust in the goodness of Almighty God which can change dark and unbearable situations
from within, from the heart. The Mexicans responded with their ardent faith, with
their convinced adherence to the Gospel, I recognized once again consoling signs of
hope for the continent. The last event of my visit to Mexico was again in Leon, the
celebration of Vespers in the Cathedral of Our Lady of Light, with the Mexican bishops
and representatives of the Episcopate of America. I expressed my closeness to their
commitment to meeting the various challenges and difficulties, and my gratitude for
those who sow the seeds of the Gospel in situations that are complex and often not
without limitations. I encouraged them to be zealous pastors and reliable guides,
arousing sincere communion and heartfelt support to the teaching of the Church everywhere.
I then left the beloved land of Mexico, where I experienced a special affection and
devotion to the Vicar of Christ. Before leaving, I urged the Mexican people to remain
faithful to the Lord and his Church, firmly anchored to its Christian roots.
The
next day began the second part of my apostolic trip with my arrival in Cuba, where
I went primarily to support the mission of the Catholic Church, committed to proclaiming
the Gospel with joy, despite the poverty of resources and the difficulties still to
be overcome so that religion can carry out its spiritual service and its part in formation
in the public square of society. This I wanted to emphasize coming to Santiago de
Cuba, the island's second city, not failing to highlight the good relations that exist
between the State and the Holy See, with the aim of serving the living and constructive
presence of the local Church. I also ensured them that the Pope carries the concerns
and aspirations of all Cubans in his heart, especially those who suffer from limitations
of freedom.
The first Mass I had the joy of celebrating on Cuban soil was held
in the context of the fourth centenary of the discovery image of the Virgin of Charity
of El Cobre, the patroness of Cuba. It was a moment of great spiritual intensity,
with the careful and prayerful participation of thousands of people, a sign of a Church
that comes from situations that are far from easy, but with a lively witness of charity
and active presence in people's lives. Cuban Catholics, along with the entire population,
hope for a better future, I invited them to give new vigor to their faith and to assist
with the courage of forgiveness and understanding, in building an open and renewed
society where there is more room for God, because when God is removed, the world becomes
an inhospitable place for humans. Before leaving Santiago de Cuba, I went to the Shrine
of Our Lady of Charity in El Cobre, so dear to the Cuban people. The pilgrimage of
the image of Our Lady of Charity in the families of the island has attracted a great
spiritual enthusiasm, representing a significant event of new evangelization and an
occasion for the rediscovery of faith. I especially entrusted those people who suffer
and young Cubans to the Blessed Virgin.
The second Cuban stage was Havana,
capital of the island. Young people, in particular, were the main protagonists of
the exuberant welcome I received on route to the Nunciature, where I had the opportunity
of meeting with the bishops of the country to talk about the challenges facing the
Church in Cuba, in the knowledge that people look to it with growing confidence. The
next day I celebrated Mass in Havana's main square, crowded with people. I reminded
them all that Cuba and the world needed change, but this will only happen if everyone
is open to the integral truth about man, which is essential for achieving freedom,
and if everyone decides to sow the seeds of reconciliation and brotherhood around
them, founding the their lives on Jesus Christ: He alone can dispel the darkness of
error, helping to defeat the evil and all that oppresses us. I also wanted to reiterate
that the Church does not demand privileges, but also to be able to proclaim and celebrate
the faith publicly, bringing the Gospel message of hope and peace to every area of
society. While appreciating the steps taken by the Cuban authorities so far in this
direction, I stressed the need to continue on this path of ever greater religious
freedom.
Upon leaving Cuba, tens of thousands of Cubans came to bid me farewell
along the way, despite the heavy rain. In the farewell ceremony I remembered that
at the present time the various components of Cuban society are called to a collaborative
effort of sincere and patient dialogue for the good of their nation. In this perspective,
my presence on the island, as a witness of Jesus Christ, wanted to be an encouragement
to open the doors of the heart to He, who is a source of hope and strength to nurture
the common good. For this I took my leave of the Cuban people urging them to renew
the faith of their fathers and build a better future.
This trip to Mexico and
Cuba, thank God, has had the desired pastoral success. May the Mexican and the Cuban
people reap abundant fruit to build in ecclesial communion and evangelical courage
a future of peace and brotherhood.
Dear friends, tomorrow afternoon, with the
Holy Mass in Coena Domini, we enter the Easter Triduum, the summit of the liturgical
year, to celebrate the central mystery of faith: the passion, death and resurrection
of Christ. In the Gospel of St. John, the climax of the mission of Jesus is called
his "hour", which opens with the Last Supper. The Evangelist introduces it thus: "
Before the feast of Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to pass from this
world to the Father. He loved his own in the world and he loved them to the end" (Jn
13.1 ). The whole life of Jesus is oriented towards this hour, characterized by two
aspects that illuminate each other: this is the hour of "passage" (metabasis)
and the hour of '"love (agape) until the end." In fact, it is the divine love,
the Holy Spirit of which Jesus is filled, which allows Jesus to "pass" through the
abyss of evil and death, and sees him emerge into the new "space" of the resurrection.
It is the 'agape, the love which brings about this transformation, so that
Jesus goes beyond-the limits of the human condition marked by sin and overcomes the
barrier that keeps man prisoner, separated from God and eternal life. By participating
in faith in the liturgical celebrations of the Paschal Triduum, we are invited to
experience this transformation brought about by agape. Each one of us is loved
by Jesus "to the end", that is to the total gift of Himself on the cross when he cried:
"It is finished!' (Jn 19.30). Let us allow ourselves to be touched by this love, to
be transformed, so that the resurrection may really be realized in us. I invite you,
therefore, to live the Paschal Triduum intensely, and I wish you all a Holy Easter!