(April 02, 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 and receive his blessing. The
general audience of May 2nd was held outdoors in St. Peter’s Square in
the Vatican. It began with the reading in several languages of a passage from the
Acts of the Apostles. 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 consider the speech
which Saint Stephen, the first martyr, delivered before his death. Stephen’s words
are clearly grounded in a prayerful re-reading of the Christ event in the light of
God’s word. Accused of saying that Jesus would destroy the Temple and the customs
handed down by Moses, Stephen responds by presenting Jesus as the Righteous One proclaimed
by the prophets, in whom God has become present to humanity in a unique and definitive
way. As the Son of God made man, Jesus is himself the true temple of God in the world;
by his death for our sins and his rising to new life, he has now become the definitive
“place” where true worship is offered to God. Stephen’s witness to Christ, nourished
by prayer, culminates in his martyrdom. By his intercession and example may we learn
daily to unite prayer, contemplation of Christ and reflection on God’s word. In this
way we will appreciate more deeply God’s saving plan, and make Christ truly the Lord
of our lives. I greet all the English-speaking pilgrims and visitors present at
today’s Audience, including those from England, Ireland, Norway, Sweden, Nigeria,
Australia, India, Indonesia, the Philippines, Canada and the United States. I offer
a cordial welcome to the delegation from the Christian Council of Norway and to the
ecumenical groups from Sweden. I also thank the traditional choir from Indonesia
for their song. Upon you and your families I cordially invoke God’s abundant blessings.