Pope's general audience of April 4. Appeals against anti-personnel mines

(April 04, 2012) 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 March 4 was held in the open in St. Peter’s Square in the Vatican. Fresh from a visit to Mexico and Cuba last Thursday, Pope Benedict first spoke about this memorable trip.

Listen:
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
My recent Apostolic Journey to Mexico and Cuba sought to confirm the people of those countries, and all the peoples of Latin America, in their faith and in the hope which makes it possible to build a just and harmonious social order. At the liturgies in León, marked by an outpouring of devotion and spiritual joy, I encouraged the Mexican people to let their deep Christian roots inspire their efforts to overcome violence and to work for a better future. In Cuba, I wished to reaffirm the Church in her public witness to the Gospel and to support the aspirations of all Cubans to a renewed, reconciled and free society. From Santiago de Cuba, I went as a pilgrim to the shrine of Our Lady of Charity of El Cobre and then to Havana, where I prayed for a rebirth of faith, openness to God’s love and respect for the truth about our human dignity and freedom revealed in Christ. In these days, as we prepare to celebrate the saving events of Christ’s Passover from death to life in the sacred Triduum, may we open our hearts to God’s reconciling love revealed on the Cross. Let us allow that love to transform our lives, and enable us to celebrate with joy the mystery of the resurrection.
I offer a cordial welcome to all the English-speaking visitors present at today’s Audience, including the student groups from England, Ireland and the United States of America. I also greet the participants in the International Gathering of University Students. May your pilgrimage to Rome bear spiritual fruit in a deeper love of Christ and his Church. Upon you and your families I invoke the Lord’s blessings of wisdom, joy and peace. A happy and blessed Easter to all of you!

Wednesday, April 4th being the United Nations-sponsored International Day of Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action, Pope Benedict XVI during the general audience appealed for an end to anti-personnel mines. Speaking in Italian he encouraged all those engaged in freeing mankind from these terrible and insidious explosives, which late Blessed John Paul II, on the occasion of the coming into force of the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention in 1999, said “prevent men and women from walking together on the paths of life without fearing the threat of destruction and death.” Pope Benedict also expressed his closeness with the victims of anti-personnel mines and their families.