Until Zenit or the Vatican Press Office comes out with an official translation of the Pope's message at Angelus today,
here is a translation of the Italian text released by the Vatican Press Office-
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We celebrate today the Epiphany of the Lord, that is, his manifestation to the gentiles, represented by the Magi, mysterious personages who came from the East, as related to us in the Gospel according to Matthew (Mt 2,1-12).
The adoration of Jesus by the Magi was immediately recognized as the fulfillment of Scriptural prophecies: “People will walk in your light” – we read in the book of Isaiah – “Kings towards your source… bringing gold and incense and prclaiming the glories of the Lord" (Is 60,3,6). The light of Christ, which was contained in the grotto of Bethlehem , now expands in all of its universal reach.
My thoughts go particularly to our beloved brothers and sisters of the Oriental Churches who, following the Julian calendar, celebrate Christmas today. To them I send my most cordial wishes of peace and of God’s goodness.
Also today, one thinks spontaneously of World Youth Day. Last August, more than a million youth gathered in Cologne with the theme “We have come to adore him” (Mt 2,2), the words of the Magi referring to Jesus. How many times did we hear and repeat those words! Now we cannot hear them without going back spiritually to that memorable event which represented a true “epiphany.” In fact, the pilgrimage of the youth, in its most profound dimension, can be seen as an itinerary guided by the light of a “star”, by the light oif faith.
Today, I extend to the whole world the message which I addressed at that time to the youth who were gathered along the banks of the Rhine: “Open your hearts to God” – I said then and I repeat today to everyone – “let yourselves be surprised by Christ.! Open the doors of your freedom to his merciful love! Disclose your joys and your pains to Christ, allowing him to illuminate your mind and touch your hearts with his grace.”
I wish that the entire Church could breathe, as in Cologne, the atmosphere of “epiphany” and of authentic missionary commitment awakened by Christ’s manifestation as light of the world, sent by God the Father to reconcile and unify humanity through the power of love.
In this spirit, let us pray fervently for the full unity of all Christians, so that their witness may become a ferment for communion in the entire world. Let us invoke the intercession of Mary most holy, Mother of Christ and Mother of the Church.
[Modificato da TERESA BENEDETTA 06/01/2006 16.54]