|
|
 |
|
CNS Story:
|
POPE-ANGELUS Aug-4-2008 (590 words) With photo. xxxi
Pope offers best wishes to China, Olympic participants
By Catholic News Service
BRESSANONE, Italy (CNS) -- Pope Benedict XVI offered his best wishes to China, the International Olympic Committee and all the athletes who will participate in the Aug. 8-24 games in Beijing.
"I am happy to send the host country, the organizers and participants -- especially the athletes -- my cordial greeting with the hope that each one can give the best of his- or herself in the genuine Olympic spirit," the pope said Aug. 3.
Beijing invited two Catholic bishops from outside the mainland -- Coadjutor Bishop John Tong Hon of Hong Kong and Bishop Jose Lai Hung-seng of Macau -- to the opening ceremony Aug. 8 but did not invite an official Holy See representative, reported the Asian church news agency UCA News.
Pope Benedict spoke about the Olympics after reciting the midday Angelus prayer with about 9,000 people gathered in the square in front of the Bressanone cathedral.
The pope said he would be following the Olympic Games. "I deeply hope that it will offer the international community a valid example of coexistence among people of the most diverse backgrounds with respect for their common dignity," he said.
He prayed that the Olympic events would be a sign of "brotherhood and peace among peoples."
The pope was spending his annual mountain vacation with his brother, Msgr. Georg Ratzinger, at the Bressanone seminary.
In addition to thanking his hosts and everyone involved in assuring his comfort and the safety of the crowds who filled the city center for the Angelus, the pope said, "Naturally, we thank the good God who has given us this earth and this Sunday flooded with sun."
The Sunday Mass readings, he said, "remind us that the greatest things in our life are things that cannot be acquired or purchased because the most important and elementary things in our life can only be given to us: the sun and its light, the air we breathe, water, the beauty of the earth, love, friendship and life itself."
The Scriptures also remind people that "being loved by God, who knows us and loves each one of us in Christ" is something that "no dictator, no destructive force can steal from us," he said.
The day's Gospel reading about Jesus multiplying the loaves and fishes is a reminder that "if we have received such great things from God, we must give in turn," the pope said.
"We must transmit to others the gifts of goodness, love and friendship, but at the same time we also must give material gifts to those who need us and who we can help," he said.
After reciting the Angelus, the pope visited the cathedral and spent time blessing children, the sick and the elderly gathered in the cathedral and in its courtyard.
In his main Angelus address, the pope spoke about Pope Paul VI, who died Aug. 6, 1978.
Elected in 1963, Pope Paul was called to lead the church "at the most delicate moment" of the Second Vatican Council, "when the intuition of Blessed John XXIII ran the risk of not taking shape," said the pope, who served as a theological expert during the council.
"How can we not thank the Lord for his fruitful and courageous pastoral action," the pope said, adding that as time goes on the wise guidance of Pope Paul seems "even larger, almost superhuman."
"Paul VI guided the people of God in contemplating the face of Christ, redeemer of humanity and Lord of history," he said.
END
Copyright (c) 2008 Catholic News Service/USCCB. All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed.
CNS · 3211 Fourth St NE · Washington DC 20017 · 202.541.3250
|
|
|
|
