(October 13, 2011) Pope Benedict XVI is showing his support for leaders of the new
evangelization, as he will address this weekend a group of "new evangelizers." Vatican’s
Pontifical Council for Promoting New Evangelization is hosting a conference Saturday
and Sunday, for international leaders engaged in spreading the Gospel message. The
Pope will receive participants in the meeting on Saturday. And on Sunday, he will
celebrate a Mass with them in St. Peter's Basilica. The theme of the conference is
New Evangelizers for the New Evangelization: Let the Word of God grow and spread.
Archbishop Salvatore Fisichella, the president of the council, will open the event.
Then, there will be various contributions: Mother Veronica Berzosa, Spanish founder
and superior of the new religious institute Iesu Communio, will speak on spirituality.
Italian journalist Vittorio Messori will give an address on "The West and Its Questions
on Christ." An Italian professor will talk of the science-faith dialogue, and a Colombian
bishop will discuss new evangelization in Latin America. Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli
will offer a recital; this "moment of spirituality and art" that will precede the
arrival of Pope Benedict XVI in Paul VI Hall. In the evening, the groups and ecclesial
realities will be welcomed to the Diocese of Rome, where in various churches and centres,
they will lead moments of reflection and prayer with Rome's Catholics.