Pope Benedict sends message to Lourdes gathering

Pope Benedict has sent a video message to a meeting taking place in Lourdes celebrating 50 years since the beginning of the Second Vatican Council. The gathering organised by the French Bishops’ conference brings together 2,500 participants including priests, deacons lay people, bishops and council fathers.

The title of the meeting is “Joy and Hope”, recalling one of the most significant documents of the Second Vatican Council.

The aim of two day conference which began on Saturday, according to the Vice President of the French Bishops’ Conference, Archbishop Laurent Ulrich, “is to make known to Catholics the impact the Council has had on what it means to be Christian. It also aims to show how Vatican II allowed the Church to prepare itself for the changes that took place.”

Speaking via video link Pope Benedict said, "The Second Vatican Council was and remains a true sign of God in our time" and if we interpret it "within the tradition of the Church and under the sure guidance of the Magisterium" it can become "more and more a great force for the future of the Church. "

The Holy Father also expressed the hope that this anniversary would be an occasion for "a spiritual and pastoral renewal" and a time to "strengthen communion in the great family of the Catholic Church," helping "to restore unity among all Christians, which, he said, was one of the main objectives of the Council."

Concluding his message Pope Benedict said, that "rediscovering the joy of believing and the enthusiasm to communicate the power and beauty of the faith was a key part of the new evangelization".

The Lourdes conference runs through to March 25^th. Listen to Lydia O'Kane's report