December 12, 2011. (Romereports.com) During the Angelus in St. Peter's Square, Benedict XVI recalled the 63rd anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, of which he highlighed the right to life.
Benedict XVI
“On the Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, we remember that the firs right is the right to life.”
The pope also called on Christians to not become overly distracted by the lights and commercial side of Christmas, but instead to give true value to these festivities.
Benedict XVI
“The exterior environment offers the usual commercial messages, although in a minor way because of the economic crisis. Christians are called to live the Advent without being distracted by the lights, knowing to give appropriate value to things, to fix the inner eye on Christ.”
The Angelus marked the third Sunday of Advent, called “Gaudete” meaning joy. Benedict XVI made an invitation to prepare for Christmas with the joy the season brings.
He noted that true happiness is not just a passing moment, but is born from an encounter with Jesus.
Benedict XVI
“Today's Liturgy, called Gaudete Sunday, invites us to prepare with prayer and good works to celebrate with joy the coming of Jesus among us.”
And following Christmas tradition, thousands of children carried a figure of the baby Jesus to be blessed by the pope and later placed in their own nativity scenes.
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