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Ärende: Vatican Information Service - Press Release
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                               VIS-Press releases

CONTEMPLATE THE CRUCIFIED CHRIST WITH THE EYES OF FAITH

VATICAN CITY, FEB 25, 2007 (VIS) - Before praying the Angelus today, Benedict
XVI dedicated his brief remarks to the subject of Lent, reminding the thousands
of pilgrims gathered in St. Peter's Square of the theme of his Lenten Message
this year: "They shall look on Him Whom they have pierced," a quotation from
the Gospel of St. John, in turn inspired by a messianic prophecy of Zechariah.

"We enter the time of Lent," said the Pope, "with our gaze fixed upon Jesus'
side. ... Only by turning our gaze to Jesus, Who died upon the Cross for us,
can we understand and contemplate this fundamental truth: 'God is love'." And
quoting his Encyclical "Deus caritas est" he added: "In this contemplation the
Christian discovers the path along which his life and love must move."

The Holy Father continued: "Contemplating Christ upon the Cross with the eyes
of faith, we can understand the profundity of sin, how tragically serious it is
and, at the same time, how measureless is the Lord's power of forgiveness and
mercy. During these days of Lent, let us not remove our hearts from this
mystery of profound humanity and exalted spirituality. Contemplating Christ, we
simultaneously feel we are contemplated by Him.

"He Whom we have pierced with our sins," the Pope added, "never tires of
pouring an endless torrent of merciful love upon the world. May humanity
understand that only from this source is it possible to draw the spiritual
energy indispensable for building the peace and happiness that all human beings
tirelessly seek."

Benedict XVI concluded by reminding people that today marks the beginning of
the spiritual exercises of the Roman Curia, in which he too will participate.
"I ask you," he said, "to accompany us with your prayers, which I will happily
return in the quiet of the retreat, invoking divine power upon each of you,
upon your families and upon your communities."
ANG/LENT/...VIS 070226 (330)

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