(June 15, 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, including in English. The general
audience of June 15 was held in the open in St. Peter’s Square. After the reading
of a scripture passage in several languages, and 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 our continuing catechesis on Christian prayer,
we now turn to the prophet Elijah as a model of intercessory prayer. At a time when
the kingdom of Israel saw the spread of Baal-worship and syncretism, Elijah invited
the people to renew their covenant with the Lord and to reject every form of idolatry.
In the episode of his contest with the priests of Baal on Mount Carmel (cf. 1 Kg 18),
he calls upon Israel to choose the Lord and prays for their conversion of heart.
What is more, he urges the people themselves to draw near and share in his prayer.
In response to Elijah’s prayer, God reveals his fidelity, mercy and saving power through
the consuming fire sent down from heaven. He also enables the people to turn back
to him and to reaffirm the covenant made with their fathers. As we look to Elijah’s
example, let us be ever more convinced of the power of intercessory prayer, so that
we can help all people to know the one true God, to turn away from every form of idolatry,
and to receive the grace offered to us on the wood of the Cross and in the fire of
the Holy Spirit. I welcome the members of the Catholic-Pentecostal International
Dialogue and I offer prayerful good wishes for the next phase of their work. I also
welcome the Fiftieth Conference of the International Association of Schools and Institutes
of Administration, now meeting in Rome. I thank the choirs, and particularly the
University Choir from Indonesia, for their praise of God in song. Finally, I greet
the delegates to the General Chapter of the Congregation of the Resurrection. Upon
all the English-speaking pilgrims, especially those from the Philippines, Canada and
the United States, I invoke the Lord’s blessings of joy and peace.