Code: ZE05122505
Date: 2005-12-25
Pope Urges a Just World Order, in Christmas Message
Terrorism, Poverty and Arms Proliferation Threaten Peace, He Says
VATICAN CITY, DEC. 25,
2005 (Zenit.org).- In his first Christmas
message, Benedict XVI prayed that the light
of the Child Jesus might
encourage humanity to build a more just world order.
The Pope's words were heard by some 40,000 people gathered in St. Peter's
Square, as well as millions
of television viewers
worldwide who followed his traditional blessing "urbi et orbi"
(to the city of Rome and
the world) on 111 television channels in 68 countries.
"Men and women of today, humanity come of age yet often still so frail in
mind and will, let the Child of Bethlehem
take you by the hand! Do
not fear; put your trust in him!" exhorted the Pontiff in a message in
which
he touched alternately on
spirituality and burning current issues.
"The life-giving power of his light is an incentive for building a new world order
based on just ethical
and economic
relationships," the Holy Father added.
May the love of God, incarnated at Christmas, "guide every people on earth
and strengthen their common
consciousness of being a
'family' called to foster relationships of trust and mutual support," he
prayed.
Africa's woes
"A united humanity will be able to confront the many troubling problems of
the present time:
from the menace of
terrorism to the humiliating poverty in which millions of human beings live,
from the proliferation of
weapons to the pandemics and the environmental destruction which
threatens the future of our planet,"
Benedict XVI said.
The Holy Father then reviewed some of the most worrying and tension-ridden
areas in the world,
beginning with Africa.
For that continent he appealed for the prevention of "fratricidal
conflicts, for the consolidation of the present,
still fragile political
transitions, and the protection of the most elementary rights of those
experiencing
tragic humanitarian
crises."
In particular, Benedict XVI called attention to the Darfur region of Sudan and
other areas of central Africa.
May God made man "lead the peoples of Latin America to live in peace and
harmony," the Pope continued.
"May he grant courage to people of good will in the Holy Land, in Iraq, in
Lebanon, where signs of hope,
which are not lacking,
need to be confirmed by actions inspired by fairness and wisdom," he
added.
At risk
Finally, the Pope prayed that God "favor the process of dialogue on the
Korean peninsula and elsewhere
in the countries of Asia,
so that by the settlement of dangerous disputes, consistent and peaceful
conclusions
can be reached in a
spirit of friendship, conclusions which their peoples expectantly await."
According to the Bishop of Rome, "men and women in our technological age
risk becoming victims
of their own intellectual
and technical achievements, ending up in spiritual barrenness and emptiness of
heart."
"That is why it is so important for us to open our minds and hearts to the
Birth of Christ, this event of salvation
which can give new hope to the life of each
human being," he explained.
The pilgrims that filled St. Peter's Square braved the rain and cold and
encouraged the Pope with applause and shouts.
The Holy Father responded
with good wishes.
After delivering his message, he imparted his tradition blessing "urbi et
orbi" (to the city Rome and the world)
from the balcony of St.
Peter's Basilica, in 33 languages.
In English, he said: "May the birth of the Prince of Peace remind the
world where its true happiness lies;
and may our hearts be
filled with hope and joy, for the Savior has been born for us."
End