VATICAN CITY, JAN. 1, 2011 (Zenit.org).- On this World Day of Peace, Benedict XVI is promoting awareness of the victims of war and their sufferings.
The Pope stated this today in St. Peter’s Basilica in his homily during Mass for the Solemnity of Mary the Mother of God. He recalled in particular today’s celebration of the World Day of Peace.
The Pontiff said, “Today we want to recall the cry of so many men, women, children and elderly victims of war, which is the most horrific and violent face of history.”
He asked the Lord to “bless the new year just begun,” acknowledging “the tragic events that mark history” and “the logic of war that unfortunately is not yet entirely overcome.”
The Holy Father noted the tradition of the Church, spread throughout the world, to spend this first day of the new year praying for peace.
“It is good to start a new phase of the journey getting decisively on the path of peace,” he affirmed.
Benedict XVI continued, “We pray today that this peace, which the angels proclaimed to the shepherds on Christmas night, can reach every place.”
He underlined the need to pray for “every person and all peoples, particularly those who are responsible for governing” so that they would “walk ever more determined on the path of peace.”
“The Virgin Mary gives us her Son, shows us the face of her Son, the Prince of Peace,” the Pope said. “May she help us to remain in the light of this face.”
The Pontiff concluded, “May the Mother of God accompany us in this new year; may she obtain for us and for the whole world the desired gift of peace.”
