Pope’s general audience of Dec. 12

December 12, 2012 - Every week on Wednesday, the Pope holds a public meeting, called the general audience, where pilgrims and tourists who come to Rome have a chance of seeing and hearing him speak in several languages, and also receive his blessing. The general audience of Dec. 12 was held indoors in the Vatican’s Paul VI audience hall. It began with aides reading a passage from the Gospel of St Mark, in several languages. An aide greeted the Pope on behalf of the English speaking pilgrims. Pope Benedict then delivered his catechesis in English.

Listen:
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Continuing our catechesis for this Year of Faith, we now consider the unfolding of God’s self-revelation and his saving plan. The Scriptures show us its development in the history of Israel, especially in the events of the Exodus and the establishment of the Covenant. Down the centuries Israel cherished and celebrated the memory of these saving events and, through the prophets, learned to look forward to a new and eternal Covenant destined for all mankind. The one divine plan, realized gradually in human history, culminated in the coming of Jesus Christ, the incarnate Son of God. In this Advent season, we are invited to contemplate this progressive revelation of God’s saving plan and to realize that, in Christ, God continues to drawn near to us. Amid the distractions and superficiality of our world, may we learn, in faith, hope and love, to recognize and bear witness to his presence, radiating in our lives the light and joy which filled the stable of Bethlehem.
I offer a cordial welcome to the newly professed Sisters of the Missionaries of Charity. My greeting also goes to the group of visitors from Oklahoma Wesleyan University. Upon all the English-speaking pilgrims present at today’s Audience I invoke God’s blessings of joy and peace.