Pope's 'Angelus' of Sunday, Nov. 14

(November 15, 2010) Pope Benedict XVI said on Sunday he is worried the economic crisis will tempt richer nations to forge alliances at the expense of poorer ones. He offered his concerns about the state of affairs of the world's economy and how nations might emerge from the crisis when he spoke to pilgrims and tourists gathered in St. Peter's Square before praying the weekly midday ‘Angelus’ prayer. The Holy Father cited the just-finished Group of 20 summit in Seoul, South Korea which grappled with persistent differences on currencies and trade. He expressed his dismay over the stubborn gap between rich and poor, the scandal of hunger, the widespread problem of unemployment and industrialized nations encouraging a consumer lifestyle at the expense of the environment and the poor. Taking cue from Italy’s ‘Thanksgiving Day” on Sunday marking the end of harvest, the Pope called for a decisive strategic revitalization of agriculture. In fact, he noted, the process of industrialization has sometimes overshadowed the agricultural sector, which, while in turn benefiting from the knowledge and modern techniques, has lost its importance, with significant consequences on a cultural level. “I think the time has come for a call to reassess the agriculture sector, not in a nostalgic sense, but as an indispensable resource for the future," the Pope said. He thus urged for a new balance between agriculture, industry and the service sector to achieve sustainable development so no one lacks work or food.
After praying the ‘Angelus’, Pope Benedict invoked peace for Iraq and also appealed to the international community to "generously support" the people of Haiti, who "because of the terrible earthquake in January, are now suffering from a serious outbreak of cholera." He announced that on Saturday, Nov. 27, he would preside over a Vespers service on the occasion of the first Sunday of Advent and a prayer vigil for unborn life in St Peter's Basilica. The initiative is shared with the particular Churches throughout the world and the Pope said he had recommended that it be held in parishes, religious communities, associations and movements. He said, “The period of preparation for Christmas is a good time to invoke divine protection upon every human being called into existence, and also as a thanksgiving to God for the gift of life received from our parents. "