Pope Benedict XVI’s Angelus Message for the New Year Day 2010

(January 01, 2011) During his mid –day Angelus Prayer on the New Year Day and on the Solemnity of the Divine Motherhood of Mary, Pope Benedict XVI greeted all those present in St peter’s Square and people everywhere for the First Angelus of 2011 with special wishes of peace. Speaking in Italian the Pope said: By giving us Jesus, God has given us all: his love, his life, the light of truth, forgiveness of sins and has given us peace. Yes, Jesus Christ is our peace. He brought the world the seed of love and peace, which is stronger than the seed of hatred and violence. It is stronger because the name of Jesus is superior to any other names in the heavens and earth.
Referring to the Solemnity of the Motherhood of Mary the Pope said that before the image of the Virgin Mother, the Church on this day asks God, through Jesus Christ, the gift of peace: it is the World Day of Peace, a propitious occasion to reflect together on the major challenges of our age poses to humanity. One of them, dramatically urgent today is that of religious freedom, so this year I wanted to dedicate my messages to this theme: "Freedom of religion, path to peace." He added that we are now seeing two opposite tendencies, both negative two extremes: on one hand, secularism, and on the other fundamentalism. Pope Benedict then appealed to all to look at Jesus in the arms of Mary, his Mother. Looking at Jesus who is the "Prince of Peace" we understand that peace is not achieved by force of arms, or economic power, political, cultural and media but this Peace in reality is the work of conscience which is open to truth and love.
After the Blessing the Pontiff greeted the various groups in different languages. Addressing the English speaking groups he said: I extend a warm welcome to the English-speaking visitors here today. On the first day of the year the Church pays special honour to the Mother of God, recalling how in humble obedience to the Lord’s will she bore in her womb and gave birth to him who is the Light of the World. On this day, too, we pray especially for peace throughout the world, and I invite all of you to join in heartfelt prayer to Christ the Prince of Peace for an end to violence and conflict wherever they are found. Upon all of you, and upon your loved ones at home, I invoke God’s abundant blessings for the year that lies ahead. Happy New Year!