Pope Benedict XVI Marks 4th Anniversary with Appeal to end Racism

(19 Apr 09 - RV) Pope Benedict XVI marked the 4^th anniversary of his election to the Papacy today with an appeal for an end to racism and forms of unjust discrimination.

Speaking ahead of the Regina Coeli prayer with the faithful, who were gathered this Sunday in the courtyard of the Apostolic Retreat at Castel Gandolfo, the Holy Father looked forward to a conference examining the 2001 Durban Declaration against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and related Intolerance, which is scheduled to open this Monday, in Geneva, under the organization of the United Nations.

The Pope said resolute and Concrete action is needed on both the national and the international level to prevent and eliminate every form of discrimination and intolerance.

The Holy Father went on to say a vast work of education is needed, in which the dignity of the person is exalted and his rights protected.

The Church, for her part, continues to insist that only the recognition of the dignity of the human person, created in the image and likeness of God, is capable of providing a sound foundation for such a commitment.

The Holy Father also used the context of the Regina Coeli prayer to reflect on his 4 years of papacy, telling the faithful he never feels lonely and that during the Octave of Easter he felt the communion that surrounds and sustains him.

“A spiritual solidarity,” explained Pope Benedict, “nurtured by prayer, manifests itself in a thousand different ways.”

The Pope went on the say that it is God’s merciful love, which continues today as always to unite the Church soundly and make one family of all mankind, the Divine Love that forgives us our sins and brings us inner renewal through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

This, said Pope Benedict, was why Pope John Paul II dedicated this second Sunday of Easter to the Divine Mercy – to point out the Risen Christ as the true source of all hope and trust.

Regina coeli…
Following the traditional Eastertide prayer, Pope Benedict offered greetings to the gathered faithful in many languages, including English…

I am happy to greet all the English-speaking visitors present for today’s Regina Coeli prayer, including the group from Dulwich Preparatory School, Cranbrook in Kent. As we rejoice in the new life that the Risen Christ has won for us, let us renew our resolve to be faithful to our baptismal promises by rejecting Satan and living according to the example of the Lord. In our prayer we commend our perseverance to the intercession of Mary, Queen of Heaven. Upon all of you I invoke God’s abundant blessings of peace and joy!