Pope's Sunday 'Angelus' on upcoming Africa visit

(March 16, 2009) Pope Benedict XVI on Tuesday leaves for this first pastoral visit to Africa. The main purpose of his March 17- 23 visit to Cameroon and Angola is to present to the Church of Africa the working document of the Second Special Assembly of the Synod of Bishops for Africa, which will be held in the Vatican in October. Speaking to a large crowd in St. Peter’s Square on Sunday before reciting the weekly midday ‘Angelus’ prayer, Pope Benedict said he wants to bring a message of hope to a continent suffering from poverty, disease and armed conflict. He said that he is departing with the awareness of having nothing else to offer and give to those he will meet except for Christ and the Good News of his Cross, the mystery of supreme love, of divine love that overcomes all human resistance and makes it possible even to forgive and love one's enemies. The pontiff will fly to Yaoundé, Cameroon, where on Thursday he will present to all the bishops of the continent "the 'working document' of the African synod. He will then go to Luanda (Angola), in "a country that, after its long internal war, has regained peace and is now called to rebuild itself in justice." "With this visit," the pope explained, "I intend to embrace by extension the entire African continent: its thousands of differences, and its profound religious spirit; its ancient cultures and its laborious journey of development and reconciliation; its serious problems, its painful wounds, and its enormous possibilities and hopes.” He said he intended to strengthen the Catholics in their faith, encourage the Christians in their ecumenical efforts, and bring to all the proclamation of peace entrusted to the Church by the risen Lord.
Pope Benedict then reflected briefly on the Mass readings of the Third Sunday of Lent pointing to St. Paul referring to the proclaiming of Christ crucified as "a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles,” but to those who are called Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God. "This,” the Pontiff said, “is the grace of the Gospel that is capable of transforming the world; this is the grace that can renew Africa, because it generates an irresistible power of peace and of profound, radical reconciliation.” The Pope explained that the Church does not pursue economic, social, and political goals; she proclaims Christ, certain that the Gospel can touch the hearts of all and transform them, thus renewing persons and societies from within.
During his visit to Africa, Pope Benedict will celebrate the feast of St. Joseph on March 19, his patron as well as the patron of the Universal Church. The Pope entrusted his pilgrimage and the African people to the guardian of the Holy Family. The Pope particularly remembered the victims of hunger, of disease, of injustice, of fratricidal conflicts, and of every form of violence that unfortunately continues to afflict adults and children in Africa, without sparing missionaries, priests, religious, and volunteers.
At the ‘Angelus’ prayer, Pope Benedict also spoke in English.
Listen:
I welcome all the English-speaking pilgrims and visitors present at today’s Angelus. As we continue our Lenten journey may our resolve to follow Jesus be strengthened through prayer, forgiveness, fasting and assistance to those in need. This Tuesday I leave Rome for my visit to Cameroon and Angola. My presence in the great Continent of Africa forms part of the preparation for the Special Assembly of the Synod of Bishops dedicated to the theme: “The Church in Africa in Service to Reconciliation, Justice and Peace”. I ask each of you to join me in praying that my visit will be a time of spiritual renewal for all Africans and an occasion in which civic and religious leaders will strengthen their resolve to walk the path of justice, integrity and compassion. May the lives of African men, women and children be transformed in hope! Upon all of you gathered and your loved ones, I gladly invoke the strength and peace of Christ the Lord.