(January 05, 2011) 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 in several languages. The general audience of Jan.
5, the first this year, was held in the Vatican’s Paul VI Audience Hall. A scripture
passage was read in several languages. An aide greeted the Pope on behalf of the
English-speaking pilgrims, and presented the various groups to him. Pope Benedict
then delivered a discourse in English.
Listen: Dear
Brothers and Sisters, In this first Audience of the New Year, on the eve
of the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord, I offer my prayerful best wishes to
you and your families. The Church’s celebration of these days of Christmas is not
only a remembrance of things past, but a joyful experience of Christ’s enduring presence
in our lives and in our world. In Jesus, the Word Incarnate, our salvation is accomplished
in the flesh. Jesus’ humbling of himself, beginning with his conception in the womb
of the Virgin Mary, will find its fullest expression in the paschal mystery of his
death and resurrection. Our appreciation of the deep bond uniting the Incarnation
and the Redemption naturally draws us from the contemplation of the Child Jesus in
the Crib to the adoration of his real presence in the sacrament of the Eucharist.
The liturgical celebrations of this holy season, from Christmas through the Epiphany
to the Baptism of the Lord, challenge us to be completely transformed by the Son of
God who became man so that we might attain our ultimate human fulfilment by sharing
in his glorious divine life. I am pleased to greet the students and professors
from the University of Helsinki. My warm greetings also go to the seminarians of
the Pontifical College Josephinum. Upon all the English-speaking visitors present
at today’s Audience I invoke God’s blessings of joy and peace today and throughout
the coming year!
Pope Benedict also spoke to other groups in th ier languages
and concluded Wednesday's general audience with his blessing. Listen: