(December 26, 2008) Pope Benedict XVI on Friday called for the freedom of all hostages
in the world, including two Italian nuns kidnapped last month in northern Kenya. The
appeal for prayers and solidarity for hostages came as the Pope greeted pilgrims and
tourists who turned up in St. Peter's Square on the feast of St. Stephen to pray the
midday ‘Angelus’ prayer with him. Sr Maria Teresa Olivero, 61, and Sr Caterina Giraudo,
67, were seized on the night of November 9-10 along with their Kenyan driver when
an armed gang from Somalia stormed the village of El Wak, near the Kenyan border with
Somalia. Speaking after the ‘Angelus’, the Holy Father prayed that God “touches the
hearts” of the kidnappers of the nuns so that the will soon be freed to resume their
selfless work for the poorest. Without naming countries, Pope Benedict also lamented
that hostages are held in Latin America, Middle East and Africa for political and
other reasons. Before the ‘Angelus’ the Pope reflected on the figure of St. Stephen,
Christianity’s first martyr whose feast on the day after Christmas is a holiday in
Italy and the Vatican. Recalling the most famous of the 7 deacons of the first Christian
community of Jerusalem, the Pope said that Stephen was arrested and stoned because
of his ardent and courageous preaching. Speaking in connection with the current Pauline
Year, marking the 2000th birth anniversary of St. Paul, Pope Benedict went on to explain
how the martyrdom of Stephen, in fact, brought about a radical change in the life
of the zealous persecutor of the Church. Earlier known by the Jewish name of Saul,
Paul had collaborated in the stoning of Stephen, and had witnessed how he died praying
and forgiving his killers like Christ. After being struck down by the bright light
on the way to Damascus, Paul realized that Stephen was now living with Christ, who
died but was now truly risen. From that moment, the Pope said, Jesus became for Paul
his justice, his salvation and everything, which one day would lead him in the very
footsteps of Stephen, towards shedding his blood witnessing to the Gospel, in Rome.
In St. Stephen, the Pope said, we see the first realization of salvation brought to
humanity by the birth of Christ, namely, victory of life over death, of love over
hatred, of light of truth over the darkness of falsehood. “We praise the Lord because
victory permits many Christians even today not to respond evil for evil but with the
strength of truth and love,” the Pope added. Pope Benedict also addressed English-speaking
pilgrims present at the 'Angelus' of Dec. 26. Listen: