God Is Governing Church Even in Stormy Seas, Assures Pope

MILAN, Italy, JUNE 4, 2012 (Zenit.org).- The Church is sailing in the midst of strong winds against her, but the Lord is present, alive and governing her path, says Benedict XVI.

The Pope offered this hopeful reflection as he took leave of his hosts in Milan on Sunday, where he attended the 7th World Meeting of Families.

In a simple, off-the-cuff reflection at the end of a meal with cardinals, bishops and a few families, the Holy Father stressed the importance of the Word of God, saying it is the "key to life, the key to thinking, to living."

"If from time to time we may think that the Ship of Peter is at the mercy of ruthless adversaries, it is also true that we see that the Lord is present, He is alive, He truly rose again and holds the government of the world and the heart of mankind in His hand," the Pontiff continued. "This experience of the living Church, which lives from the love of God, which lives for the risen Christ has been, let us say, the gift of these days. Thus let us give thanks to the Lord."

The Holy Father was in Milan from Friday to Sunday, where some 1 million people participated in the World Meeting of Families, held every three years. The next meeting, in 2015, will be in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.