ANCONA, Italy, SEPT. 11, 2011 (Zenit.org).- Here is a translation of the address Benedict XVI gave today before praying the midday Angelus. The Holy Father had just finished celebrating Mass during his visit to conclude the 25th Italian National Eucharistic Congress in Ancona.
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Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Before ending this solemn Eucharistic celebration, the Angelus prayer invites us to mirror ourselves in Mary Most Holy to contemplate the abyss of love from which the Sacrament of the Eucharist comes. Thanks to the Virgin’s «fiat,» the Word became flesh and came to dwell among us. Meditating on the mystery of the Incarnation, we all turn with our minds and hearts to the Shrine of the Holy House of Loreto, only a few kilometers from here. The Marche region is illumined by the spiritual presence of Mary in her historic shrine, which makes these hills still more beautiful and enjoyable! To her I entrust at this time the city of Ancona, the diocese, the Marche and the whole of Italy, so that faith in the Eucharistic mystery will always be alive in the Italian people, who in every city and in every country, from the Alps to Sicily, render present the Risen Christ, source of hope and comfort for daily life, especially in difficult moments.
Today our thought goes to Sept. 11 ten years ago. In remembering to the Lord of Life the victims of the attacks carried out that day and their families, I invite the leaders of nations and men of good will to always reject violence as a solution to problems, to resist the temptation to hatred and to act in society, inspired by the principles of solidarity, justice and peace.
Finally, through the intercession of Mary Most Holy I pray that the Lord will recompense all those who worked for the preparation and organization of this National Eucharistic Congress, and to them I express my most heartfelt gratitude!
[Translation by ZENIT]
