February 8, 2012. (Romereports.com) During the general audience, Pope Benedict XVI spoke about the recent snowstorm that covered Europe. It affected Eastern Europe the most, leaving hundreds dead and many more without electricity.


The pope expressed his solidarity with those suffering from the storm and made an invitation to pray for the victims.

Benedict XVI
“I wish to express my closeness to people affected by these intense storms, and I invite prayers for the victims and their families.”

Benedict XVI focused his catechesis for the general audience on the appearance of God's forsakenness while Jesus is on the Cross.

The pope reminded that even when it appears that God is absent, there may be a purpose behind it.

Benedict XVI
“Darkness is an ambivalent symbol in the Bible – while it is frequently a sign of the power of evil, it can also serve to express a mysterious divine presence.”

Among the 4,000 pilgrims in the Vatican's Paul VI Audience Hall was this group from the Italian city of Verona. They were dressed in costumes for the celebration of Carnival.  

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