Pope Benedict XVI in English - Weekly General Audience

Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Today I wish to thank Almighty God for the many blessings which accompanied my first Apostolic Visit to Africa. I am deeply grateful to the leaders, local authorities and Bishops for the warm and enthusiastic welcome they extended to me. My stay began in Cameroon, where I had the pleasure of meeting various Catholic groups as well as representatives of the Muslim community. I was struck by the profound religious spirit of this nation and the desire of its citizens to live and work together in peace. My journey then took me to Angola, a country that continues to strive for reconciliation and reconstruction after a long civil war. I encouraged all Angolans to contribute to these tasks, especially by forming the consciences of young people. I am grateful for the opportunity to have met with seminarians, catechists, women’s groups, young people and many others during my sojourn in that country. A particularly significant moment of my visit was the presentation of the Instrumentum Laboris for the Second Special Assembly for Africa of the Synod of Bishops. As the Church prepares for this important meeting dedicated to the theme “The Church in Africa in Service to Reconciliation, Justice and Peace”, I ask you all to join me in praying that it will bear abundant fruit among the beloved people of this great continent.***

I welcome all the English-speaking visitors present today, including the school and university groups from Denmark, England, and America. As Holy Week draws close, may your visit to Rome be a time of deep spiritual renewal. Upon all of you I invoke God’s abundant blessings of joy and peace.