January 4, 2012. (Romereports.com) The pope held his first general audience of the year at the Vatican's Paul VI hall, with roughly 7,000 people.


Benedict XVI
“Dear brothers and sisters, I am pleased to welcome this first general audience of the new year and I wholeheartedly wish you and your families my heartfelt Christmas greeting.”

The pope went on to say that the sense of joy and light one feels during the season, comes from the moment God became man.

Benedict XVI
 “Christmas is the time when Heaven and Earth meet and expressions of joy we feel during these days reflect the greatness of what has happened.”

Through the Eucharist, said the pope, God once again, truly becomes present in the world.

Benedict XVI
"The coming of Christ rips the world of darkness, it fills the Holy night with glow and it spreads the splendor of God on  mankind.”

Among the thousands of people, there was a choir group from the U.S that sang a short carol for the pope.


BR/KLH
CTV
JM
BN