January 12, 2011. During the catechesis of
the general audience, Benedict XVI commented on the teachings of
purgatory from medieval mystic Catherine of Genoa.
According
to Catholic doctrine, purgatory is the place prior to heaven, the
souls of those who have repented their sins pass through here, to
remove the consequences that evil has provoked in their souls.
Benedict XVI"Purgatory is an interior fire. The
soul is aware of God's immense love and perfect justice; as a
consequence, it suffers for not having responded to that love
perfectly, and it is precisely the love of God Himself which purifies
the soul from the ravages of sin.”Benedict XVI also sent a
message to Haiti for the anniversary of the earthquake that
devastated this country one year ago. The Pope said that “the time
has come to rebuild, not only material structures but also civil,
social and religious coexistence.” He also has hopes “the
Haitian people will become the main actors in their own present and
future, also with the support of international aid.”
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