Pope says evangelization answers Advent prayer, "Come, Lord Jesus.'

(Dec. 24, 2007) Pope Benedict XVI says the Church's mission to evangelize is an answer to the Advent prayer “Come, Lord Jesus.” The Pope affirmed this on the 4^th and last Sunday of Advent before praying the midday Angelus with thousands gathered in St. Peter's Square. “The evangelizing mission of the Church is the answer to the cry 'Come, Lord Jesus,' which runs through the whole of salvation history and that continually goes up from the lips of believers,” the Holy Father said. “'Come, Lord, to transform our hearts so that justice and peace are spread throughout the world,'“ the Pope said recalling the Dec. 14 note on evangelization issued by the Vatican Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. The Pope said, “The document serves as a reminder to all Christians, in a situation in which it is often not clear to many faithful themselves the reason for evangelizing, that accepting the Gospel pushes one to communicate the gift of salvation.” “Nothing,” the Pope stressed, “can exempt or keep us from this onerous and fascinating duty.” The Pope also anticipated “the joy of Christmas,” saying that it fills believers with a hope that “pushes us to announce the presence of God.”
After reciting the midday 'Angelus' prayer the Pope greeted the people in several languages, including in English. Listen: