(16 Apr 10 - RV) Pope Benedict XVI on Friday spoke to members of the Papal Foundation.
We have his full speech...
Full
Text of Pope Benedict's Speech Dear
Friends,
I am pleased to greet the members of The Papal Foundation on the
occasion of your annual pilgrimage to Rome. Our meeting is pervaded by the joy of
this Easter season, as the Church celebrates the Lord’s glorious victory over death
and his gift of new life in the Holy Spirit. A year ago I had the grace of visiting
the Holy Land and praying before the Lord’s empty tomb. There, echoing the witness
of the Apostle Peter, I proclaimed that Christ, by rising to new life, has taught
us “that evil never has the last word, that love is stronger than death, and that
our future, and the future of all humanity, lies in the hands of a faithful and provident
God” (Address at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, 15 May 2009). In every time and
place, the Church is called to proclaim this message of hope and to confirm its truth
by her practical witness of holiness and charity. The Papal Foundation has advanced
this mission in a particular way by supporting a broad spectrum of charities close
to the heart of the Successor of Peter. I thank you for your generous efforts to
offer assistance to our brothers and sisters in developing countries, to provide for
the education of the Church’s future leaders, and to advance the missionary endeavors
of so many dioceses and religious congregations throughout the world. In these
days I ask you to pray for the needs of the universal Church and to implore a renewed
outpouring of the Spirit’s gifts of holiness, unity and missionary zeal upon the whole
People of God. With great affection I commend you and your families to the loving
intercession of Mary, Mother of the Church, and cordially impart my Apostolic Blessing
as a pledge of joy and peace in Jesus our Risen Lord.