Pope: Youths of Cologne, fermentation for Europe's roots and world peace
Les Combes (AsiaNews) Benedetto XVI is worried about Europe which crumbles without Christian roots, shutting itself in old borders and becoming an easy prey to terrorist attacks.
In today's Angelus, proclaimed from the window of Les Combes below Monte Bianco, he drew attention to the "tragic news" of "execrable terrorist attacks which have caused death, destruction, and suffering in several countries including Egypt, Turkey, Iraq, Great Britain". Before his official address, the pope added a few words about "suffering" which the current news has caused all of us. He then recalled the "European" saints: St James ("who witnessed the transfiguration on mount Tabor and the suffering of Jesus in the Mount of Olives"); the patrons of the continent, St Bridget and St Benedict ("who is my patron too").
However, above all, the pope appealed to Europe to rediscover its Christian roots and to make its benevolent influence felt in other continents. Benedict XVI made frequent reference to the Europeistic Act of John Paul II in Compostela during the 1982 World Youth Day: "I, Bishop of Rome and Pastor of the universal Church, direct a cry full of love to you, oh old Europe, from Santiago: Return to and be yourself! Discover your origins. Revive your roots. Relive those authentic values which made your history glorious and your presence in other continents beneficial." Pope Benedict XVI then recalled how he himself will participate in the XX World Youth Day in Cologne, saying: "Let us pray that new generations, drawing on their vital lifeblood of Christ, will be able to ferment a renewed humanism, in which faith and reason cooperate in fertile dialogue for the promotion of man and the edification of authentic peace".
So the response to terrorism is not a war of religion, but the rebirth of faith and fermentation of a "new humanism", combined with prayer to God "to stop murderous hand of those who, motivated by fanaticism and hate, committed them [terrorist acts] and to convert their hearts towards thoughts of reconciliation and peace".
Here are the words of the pope before the Angelus prayer:
Dear brothers and sisters!
Tomorrow is the feast day of the Apostle St James, brother of John, whose relics are venerated in the famous sanctuary of Compostela in Galizia, destination of countless pilgrims from all around Europe. Yesterday, we recalled St Bridget of Sweden, Patroness of Europe. On 11 July, St Benedict was commemorated, another great Patron of the "old continent". Looking at these Saints, one spontaneously lingers to reflect on the contribution made by Christianity, and which it continues to offer, to the construction of Europe.
I would like to do so by returning in thought to the pilgrimage which the Servant of God, John Paul II, undetook in 1982 to Santiago de Compostela, where he fulfilled a solemn "Europeistic Act", during which he pronounced the memorable words: "I, Bishop of Rome and Pastor of the universal Church, direct a cry full of love to you, oh old Europe, from Santiago: Return to and be yourself! Discover your origins. Revive your roots. Relive those authentic values which made your history glorious and your presence in other continents beneficial" (Teachings, vol. V/3, 1982, p. 1260). John Paul II then launched a project for a Europe which is aware of its spiritual unity based on the foundation of Christian values. He returned to this theme on World Youth Day of 1989, which took place in Santiago de Compostela. He hoped for a Europe without borders, which did not deny the Christian roots from whence it sprung and did not renounce the authentic humanism of the Gospel of Christ! (cfr Teachings, vol. XII/2, 1989, p. 328). How current this appeal remains, in the light of recent events in the European continent!
In less than a month, I too will go on pilgrimage to a historic European Cathedral, that of Cologne, where young people are set to meet for their XX World Day. Let us pray so new generations, drawing on their vital lifeblood of Christ, will be able to ferment a renewed humanism, in which faith and reason cooperate in fertile dialogue for the promotion of man and the edification of authentic peace.
We ask God for the intercession of the Most Holy Mary, who guards as Mother and Queen on the journey of all nations.
After the Angelus, the pope added:
Even these days of serenity and rest have been shaken by the tragic news of execrable terrorist attacks, which have caused death, destruction, and suffering in several countries including Egypt, Turkey, Iraq, Great Britain. While entrusting to divine goodness deceased and injured people and their dear ones, victims of acts which offend God and man, let us invoke the Omnipotent so that he may stop the murderous hand of those who, motivated by fanaticism and hate committed them and convert their hearts towards thoughts of reconciliation and peace."
The pointiff then greeted several groups of pilgrims, including youths of the Communion and Liberation movement, adding also some words in the dialect of Valle d'Aosta (patois): "Bon dzor ii valdotén. Ni fran paasu de dzente vacanse seuglia ii Coumbe. Merci à tcheutte! [Good day to people from Valle d'Aosta. I am having a nice vacation here in Les Combes. Thank you to all!] Pudzo!".
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