Vatican City, Feb 17, 2013, (AFP) :
Pope Benedict XVI called on the Church and its faithful today to "renew themselves" as tens of thousands of pilgrims and tourists attended his penultimate Angelus prayers.
"The Church calls on all its members to renew themselves.. which constitutes a fight, a spiritual battle, because the evil spirit wants us to deviate from the road towards God," he told the crowds from his window overlooking St Peter's Square.
Families with young children, pensioners and nuns packed into the square in the sunshine said they had come to pay their respects to the pope, make their goodbyes or just share in a historic event ahead of Benedict's resignation.
Groups of scouts held up banners reading "We have loved you so much!" and "We will be with you... always" and said they wanted to show Benedict that his shock decision to stand down on February 28 had not shaken their faith in him.
"He has done it for the good of the Church, and will keep serving us. He is retiring to pray -- and God knows we need his prayers!" said Germana Blaiotta.
A serene-looking Benedict waved to the crowds and thanked them for turning out in such large numbers, calling it a "sign of affection and spiritual closeness", as the onlookers called out "viva il papa" (long live the pope).
The Vatican said over 50,000 people had turned out to see the 85-year-old pope, while local authorities put the number at over 100,000.
Benedict, whose surpise announcement last Monday that he would step down after eight years rocked the Church, called on the world's faithful to "refocus on God by disowning pride and egoism".
Go to Top
Source: http://www.deccanherald.com/content/312785/pope-calls-church-rethousands-flock.html
current time a thousand words my sisters keeper kirby sarah palin cbi the shins
কোন মন্তব্য নেই:
একটি মন্তব্য পোস্ট করুন