December 15, 2010. Benedict XVI enjoyed a rare spectacle during  the general audience: trapeze artists turned the Paul VI Hall into a small circus.  The artistic group, the Pellegrini Brothers, are the winners of the Golden Clown of Monte Carlo and Moscow. They are in Rome for a meeting with other jugglers, clowns and other circus members of the International Congress for the Pastoral Care of Circus and Traveling Show People.

In the catechesis, Benedict XVI spoke of the Italian saint, Veronica Giuliani, born in 1660. Who at a very young age, entered the convent of Capuchin Poor Clare.

The Pope recalled his last words before she died after 33 days of agony.

Benedict XVI
“The last words of the saint can be considered a summary of his passionate mystical experience. 'I found love, love has been allowed me to see.'”

Benedict XVI highlighted the example of this saint should serve to grow in Christian life and participate in the love of Christ who suffered on the cross for the sins of humanity and the persecuted Christians from any time period.

Another novelty from this audience was the presence of a Mexican Nativity. The Mexican state of Guanajuato gave the Pope these Nativity figures, hand delivered in Rome by the craftsman and the governor of Guanajuato. 

The daughter of the governor also gave the Pope a zucchetto, and in an emotional display, gifted her with his own zucchetto.  A valuable gift that will travel to Mexico in a few days.

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-WP