A full translation of the Holy Father's catechesis has been posted in AUDIENCE AND ANGELUS TEXTS.
The Holy Father gave the second of his catecheses on St. Augustine. Students of La Sapienza belonging to Comunione e Liberazione were present to show their support for him.
Here is the English synthesis of today's catechesis:
Our catechesis this week is again centred on the life and writings of the great Doctor of the Church, Saint Augustine.
Some four years before he died, Augustine designated his successor in the See of Hippo, desiring to devote the rest of his life to the study of the Scriptures.
Nevertheless, those proved to be years of extraordinary activity, as the aged Bishop sought to reconcile divided Christians and to bring peace to the troubled African provinces of the Empire.
During the Vandal invasion of Africa, Augustine found solace in reflection on the mystery of God’s providence. The world, he said, is growing old and failing, yet Christ remains eternally young and brings renewed youth to those who put their faith in him. Amid the calamities of the time, he encouraged the clergy not to abandon their flock, but to offer the supreme witness of Christian charity.
Augustine died in 431, during the siege of Hippo, having devoted his last days to penance and prayer. At last his great heart found its rest in God.
Today, as in past centuries, may Augustine’s example and the rich treasury of his writings be a source of instruction, inspiration and strength as the Church makes her pilgrim way to the fullness of God’s Kingdom.
====================================================================
ITALIAN PRESIDENT'S
LETTER TO THE POPE
President Giorgio Napolitano of Italy sent a personal letter to Pope Benedict XVI yesterday expressing his 'sincere and deeply-felt regret' for the controversy that led to the cancellation of the Pope's visit to La Sapienza University.
The President's office said that as soon as the President learned of the Vatican's decision yesterday afternoo, he sent the letter to the Vatican, referring to the "unacceptable manifestations of intolerance and offensive pre-announcements which created a climate incompatible with the reasons for a free and peaceful confrotnation of ideas."
Napolitano's office also said that the President "recalled the telephone conversation that he had with the Pope on December 24, to express the wish for a continuing dialog between Italy and the Holy See."
[Modificato da TERESA BENEDETTA 18/01/2008 03:11]