FREIBURG, Germany, SEPT. 24, 2011 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI has come to Germany to pray, to proclaim the Gospel and celebrate the Eucharist, he said today upon arriving in Freiburg.
The Pope arrived in Germany on Thursday to Berlin for his first official state visit to his native country. He visited Erfurt on Friday and Saturday morning.
On the busiest day of his four-day trip, the Pontiff began by greeting the citizens of Freiburg gathered at the Münsterplatz.
“With great joy I greet you all and I thank you for the warm welcome you have accorded me,” he said. “After the wonderful meetings that took place in Berlin and Erfurt, I am happy now that I can be here in Freiburg with you, in the warm sunlight.”
“I have come gladly to you, to this beautiful city, in order to pray together with you, to proclaim the word of God and together to celebrate the Eucharist,” the Pontiff stated.
He continued: “I ask for your prayers, that these days will be fruitful, that God will deepen our faith, strengthen our hope and increase our love. During these days, may we become aware once more how much God loves us and that he is truly good.
“And so we must be full of confidence that he is good to us, that he has power for good, that he carries us and all our cares and concerns in his hands. And we want to place all this consciously into his hands.
“In him our future is assured: he gives meaning to our lives and he can bring them to fulfillment. May the Lord accompany you in peace and make us all messengers of his peace! Thank you very much for your welcome!”
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