(January 13, 2009) Every week on Wednesday, the Pope holds a public meeting, called
the general audience, during which pilgrims and tourists who come to Rome have a chance
of seeing and hearing him speak. The Holy Father delivers a spiritual reflection
and greets various groups in their languages, including in English. The General
Audience of January 13 was held in the Vatican’s Paul VI Audience Hall. It began with
aides taking turns reading a scripture passage in various languages. One of the
aides greeted the Pope on behalf of the English-speaking pilgrims, and presented the
various groups to him. Pope Benedict then delivered a reflection in English. Listen:
Dear Brothers
and Sisters, In our catechesis on medieval Christian culture, we now consider
the movement of ecclesial reform promoted by the two great Mendicant Orders. In every
age the saints are the true reformers of the Church’s life. In the thirteenth century
Saints Francis and Dominic inspired a vast evangelical renewal which met three significant
needs of the Church of that time. The Franciscans and the Dominicans adopted a lifestyle
of evangelical poverty which, unlike that of the Cathars, was grounded in communion
with the visible Church and a sound Christian understanding of the goodness of creation.
As zealous preachers, especially in urban environments, the Friars provided religious
instruction and spiritual guidance to the lay faithful, many of whom became members
of their “Third Orders”. Travelling freely from place to place, they also contributed
to the overall renewal of Church life and the spiritual transformation of society.
By their presence in the universities, the Friars worked for the evangelization of
culture, affirming the harmony of faith and reason, and creating the great syntheses
of scholastic theology. May their example of holiness and evangelical lifestyle inspire
our own witness to the Gospel and our efforts to draw the world to Christ and his
Church. I offer a warm welcome to the English-speaking visitors present
at today’s Audience, especially those from Denmark, Australia and the United States
of America. My particular greeting goes to the many student groups present and to
the faculty members. Upon all of you I invoke God’s blessings of joy and peace!
After
greeting other groups in their languages, Pope Benedict appealed for Haiti where a
devastating earthquake on Tuesday has possibly killed thousands of people. The 7.0
magnitude quake is said to be most powerful to hit the impoverished nation in more
than 200 years. Speaking in Italian, the Pope urged for prayers for the victims and
those mourning their dead. He assured his spiritual closeness with those who lost
their homes and all suffering in various ways, invoking God’s comfort and solace on
them. The Holy Father appealed to the generosity of all so that “these brothers and
sisters, in their moment of need and pain, may not lack our concrete solidarity and
the active support of the international community.” He assured that the Catholic
Church will take immediate action through its charitable organizations to meet the
most immediate needs of the population.