(November 16, 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 him and hear him speak in several languages. The general audience of Nov.
16 was held in the open in St. Peter’s Square. It began with the reading of Psalm
110 in several languages. An aide greeted the Pope on behalf of the English speaking
pilgrims introducing the various groups to him. Pope Benedict then delivered a discourse
in English:
Listen: Dear
Brothers and Sisters, In our catechesis on Christian prayer, we now turn
to Psalm 110, one of the famous “royal psalms”, originally linked to the enthronement
of a Davidic monarch. The Church reads this Psalm as a prophecy of Christ, the messianic
king and eternal priest, risen from the dead and seated at the right hand of the Father.
Saint Peter, in his speech on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:32-36), applies its words
to the Lord’s victory over death and his exaltation in glory. From ancient times,
the mysterious third verse of the Psalm has been interpreted as a reference to the
king’s divine sonship, while the fourth verse speaks of him as “a priest for ever,
according to the order of Melchizedek”. The Letter to the Hebrews specifically applies
this imagery to Christ, the Son of God and our perfect high priest, who lives eternally
to make intercession for all those who, through him, approach the Father (cf. Heb
7:25). The final verses of the Psalm present the triumphant King as executing judgment
over the nations. As we pray this Psalm, we acclaim the victory of our risen Lord
and King, while striving to live ever more fully the royal and priestly dignity which
is ours as members of his Body through Baptism. I offer a cordial greeting
the many student groups present at today’s Audience. My welcome also goes to the delegation
of the American Israel Affairs Committee. Upon all the English-speaking pilgrims
present, especially those from Great Britain, Denmark, Norway, Japan, Canada and the
United States, I invoke God’s blessings of joy and peace!