"God summons every man to life and bestows on him a talent, while entrusting him with a mission", which is charity. Those were Pope Benedict XVI’s words before the Angelus in St Peter’s Square. The Pope reminded those gathered on Sunday that "Charity is the fundamental good that no one can fail to make use of and without which all the other gifts are in vain” before adding that only “by practicing charity, can we also take part in the joy of our Lord.”
During his address the Holy Father also underlined the fact that because our earthly existence is marked by impermanence our life should be lived as a “pilgrimage” and we should keep our eyes fixed on the ultimate goal, the God who created us.
Recalling Sunday’s Gospel Pope Benedict also continued on the theme of charity noting that it was our mission to use our talents for the good of others.
“In today’s Gospel, the parable of the talents, Jesus invites us to reflect with gratitude on the gifts we have received and to use them wisely for the growth of God’s Kingdom. May his words summon us to an ever deeper conversion of mind and heart, and a more effective solidarity in the service of all our brothers and sisters. “
After reciting the Marian prayer the Holy Father had a number of special greetings in a number of languages.
In German, the Pope referred to Sunday’s beatification of the priest and martyr Carl Lampert in Dornbirn, who was killed as he put it "in the dark time of National Socialism."
Speaking in Italian the Pope Benedict also noted it was World Diabetes Day and prayed for those stricken by this illness.
Giving greetings in Polish the Holy Father recalled that on this November 13th the church in Poland was remembering the Day of Solidarity for the persecuted church which this year is asking for prayers in particular for the church in Sudan.
Drawing his address to a conclusion the Pope speaking in French invited the faithful to pray for his forthcoming visit to Benin and urged solidarity with those who work for peace, justice and reconciliation on continent of Africa.
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