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Pope Benedict XVI- Angelus |
Angelus Message
On the G-8 Summit
"The Proclamation of Christ Is the First and Principal Factor of
Development"
H.H. Benedict XVI
July 12, 2009
www.zenit.org
Dear Brothers and Sisters!
In recent days everyone's attention has been on the G-8 summit in
L'Aquila, a city that has suffered so much from the earthquake. Some
of the topics on the agenda were dramatically urgent. In the world
there are social inequalities and structural injustices that are no
longer tolerable, that demand, besides the right and proper
immediate interventions, a coordinated strategy to find long lasting
general solutions. During the summit the heads of state and of
governments of the G-8 again stressed the necessity of arriving at
common accords with the purpose of assuring humanity a better
future.
The Church does not have technical solutions to present, but, as an
expert in humanity, she offers to everyone the teaching of the
sacred Scripture on the truth about man and proclaims the Gospel of
Love and justice. Last Wednesday, commenting on the encyclical
"Caritas in Veritate" during the general audience -- the encyclical
was published on the eve of the G-8 summit -- I said that "[a] new
economic plan is needed that will reshape development in a global
way, basing itself on the fundamental ethics of responsibility
before God and before man as a creature of God." This is because --
as I wrote in the encyclical -- "[i]n an increasingly globalized
society, the common good and the effort to obtain it cannot fail to
assume the dimensions of the whole human family" (No. 7).
Already the great Pontiff, Paul VI, in the encyclical "Populorum
Progressio," recognized and pointed to the global horizon of the
social question. Following the same route, I too indicated the need
to dedicate "Caritas in Veritate" to such a question, that, in our
time, has become a "radically anthropological question," in the
sense, that is, that the way itself of conceiving man is more and
more placed in the hands of man himself by modern biotechnology (cf.
ibid. No. 75). The solutions to the current problems of humanity
cannot be merely technical, but must take account of all the needs
of the person, who is endowed with soul and body, and must thus take
the Creator, God, into consideration. The "absolutism of
technology," which finds its highest expression in certain practices
that are contrary to life, could design gloomy scenarios for the
future of humanity. The deeds that do not respect the true dignity
of the person, even when they seem to be based on a "loving
decision," are in reality the fruit of a "materialistic and
mechanistic understanding of human life" that reduces love without
truth to "an empty shell, filled in an arbitrary way" (cf. No. 6)
and could in this way lead to negative effects for integral human
development.
Despite the complexity of the current situation of the world, the
Church looks to the future with hope and reminds Christians that
"the proclamation of Christ is the first and principal factor of
development." Precisely today in the collect of the Mass, the Church
invites us to pray: "Grant us, Father, not to hold anything more
dear than your Son, who reveals to the world the mystery of your
love and the true dignity of man." May the Virgin Mary obtain for us
[the grace] to walk the path of development with our whole heart and
intelligence, "that is to say, with the ardor of charity and the
wisdom of truth" (cf. No. 8).
[After the Angelus the Pope greeted the pilgrims in various
languages. Here is a translation of the some of the remarks he made
in Italian:]
In these days I am following the events in Honduras with lively
concern. Today I would like to invite you to pray for that dear
country so that, through the maternal intercession of Our Lady of
Suyapa, the authorities of the nation and all its inhabitants can
patiently follow the way of dialogue, of reciprocal understanding,
and reconciliation. That is possible if, overcoming particularist
tendencies, everyone makes an effort to seek the truth and pursue
the common good with tenacity: This is the condition for assuring
peaceful coexistence and authentic democratic life! I assure the
beloved Honduran people of my prayer and impart a special apostolic
benediction.
Tomorrow, if it pleases God, I will depart for a brief period of
rest in the mountains. I will travel to Valle d'Aosta, to Les Combes,
an area that is celebrated for the sojourns of my beloved
predecessor John Paul II and also much loved by me. In saying
"goodbye" to St. Peter's Square and to the city of Rome, I invite
all to accompany me with prayer. Prayer does not know distances and
separations: wherever we are, it makes us one heart and one soul.
In regard to departures, I will take this occasion once again to
stress the duty of all to be prudent in driving and to respect
highway laws. A good vacation truly begins with this!
[Translation by Joseph G. Trabbic]
[In English, he said]
I am pleased to greet the English-speaking visitors here today. I
know that some of you have come from as far away as Sydney,
Australia, and I extend a particular welcome to you, remembering the
joyful celebration of World Youth Day in your city almost exactly a
year ago. To all who are on pilgrimage or on holiday at this time, I
offer the assurance of my prayers that you will find refreshment in
body and spirit and an opportunity to draw closer to the Lord in
prayer and thanksgiving. May God bestow his blessings of joy and
peace upon all of you, and upon your families and loved ones at
home.
© Copyright 2009 -- Libreria Editrice Vaticana
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