Pope's Sunday 'Angelus' focusses on migrants, refugees, Gaza conflict, Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

(January 19, 2009) Noting that migrants and refugees often live in painful and difficult circumstances, Pope Benedict XVI on Sunday urged Christians to work toward living side-by-side in peace with peoples of other cultures and religions. The Pope’s plea came on the Catholic Church’s World Day of Migrants and Refugees, before praying the traditional Sunday midday ‘Angelus’ with those gathered in St. Peter's Square. The pope's theme for this year’s observance, "St. Paul: Migrant, Apostle of the Peoples;" echoes the current jubilee year dedicated to the 2,000th anniversary of the saint's birth. Noting that St. Paul was from an immigrant family in Tarsus, Pope Benedict said that when he converted from being a persecutor of Christians to being an 'ambassador' of Christ, he became convinced that all peoples are called to form the great family of the children of God. "This” the Pope said, “is also the Church's mission more than ever in this time of globalization.” The Pope noted that some migrants and refugees have been able to integrated peacefully into the host society, whereas for others, unfortunately, it has been painful, difficult and sometimes even dramatic. He urged the Christian community in every part of the world to work with renewed dedication for peaceful coexistence among men and women of different ethnicities, cultures and religions.
After praying the ‘Angelus’ Marian prayer, Pope Benedict touched upon several current issues, among them the conflict in Gaza, which he said he continues to follow "with deep trepidation." "Let us also bring before the Lord today the hundreds of children, old people, women who are innocent victims of the inconceivable violence, the wounded, those who are grieving for their loved ones and those who have lost their possessions," he said. He urged prayers for the efforts of numerous persons of good will who are trying to stop the tragedy. He encouraged both sides of the conflict who believe that in the Holy Land there is room for all, that they help their people to rise up from the rubble and terror and courageously take up again the thread of dialogue in justice and truth. “This” the Pope said, “is the only way that they can effectively unlock a future of peace for the children of that dear land!" Thousands of troops started coming out of Gaza on Saturday, as Israel declared its intention to unilaterally halt its fire. Hamas ceased its own fire 12 hours later, but large contingents of soldiers have been kept close to the border on the Israeli side, prepared to re-enter if violence reignites.
During Sunday’s ‘Angelus’ address, Pope Benedict also drew attention to the annual Week of Prayer for Christian Unity that began on Sunday and will conclude on Jan. 25. The theme of this year’s observance, “That they may become one in your hand,” taken from the Book of Ezekiel, was suggested by an ecumenical group from Korea. Pope Benedict invited all Christians to pray with greater intensity that Christians walk in a resolute way toward full communion with each other. He particularly addressed Catholics throughout the world that, united in prayer, they do not tire to work to overcome obstacles that still impede full communion among Christ's disciples. "The ecumenical task is even more urgent today, to give to our society, which is marked by tragic conflicts and lacerating divisions, a sign and an impulse toward reconciliation and peace." The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is traditionally celebrated Jan. 18-25 in the northern hemisphere, though in the south there is some variation on the dates.
Pope Benedict XVI addressed the crowd in St. Peter's Square in several languages, including in English. Listen:
I am happy to greet all the English-speaking pilgrims and visitors present for today’s Angelus. As we celebrate the week of prayer for Christian unity, let us continue to ask the Lord that all who invoke his name may be one, so that the world may believe. On this World Day of Migrants and Refugees, I encourage individuals, communities and institutions to be generous to all who have left their homeland. May the Father of mercies open our eyes and our hearts to the sufferings and needs of those who have entrusted themselves to our hospitality. I wish you all a pleasant stay in Rome and a blessed Sunday!