Pope Benedict XVI is visiting Assisi today in celebration of the 800th anniversary of the conversion of St. Francis of Assisi.
(Updated: The Vatican web page on the journey has the official translations of the Holy Father's addresses in Assisi in various translations, including English.)
Asia News has an article about the Mass held there this morning, the Pope's homily and his words at the Angelus. An English translation of the Pope's homily is available from Teresa Benedetta at Papa Ratzinger Forum (scroll down). The Vatican's English translations are available on the Vatican's page on the Assisi visit. Zenit also has a translation of the Pope's words at the recitation of the midday Angelus and the Vatican translation of the Papal Address to the Franciscan General Chapter.
Sandro Magister has an article at Chiesa.com about the Pope's homilies on the conversions of St. Francis and St. Augustine in his journeys to Assisi and Pavia.
In his homily, the Pope spoke of St. Francis' work as based in Christ, and a desire to transform himself in Christ. He spoke of events in the Bible that motivated St. Francis, including David and Bathsheba, the stigmata of the Apostle Paul, and the sinner who was forgiven because they have greatly loved. He spoke of St. Francis' commitment to dialogue among all men because of Christ who is our peace, speaking of the relationship between Logos and dialogue. The Pope spoke of the Assisi meeting launched by Pope John Paul II for people of various faiths to pray together for peace, and of the need for Christian authenticity in inter-faith dialogue, rather than religious indifference. He called for true respect for other faiths, while proclaiming Christ as the Savior of the world.
Here is an excerpt from Teresa Benedetta's translation of the homily:
"The 'spirit of Assisi' which continues to spread itself from that event is opposed to the spirit of violence, of the abuse of religion as a pretext for violence. Assisi tells us that loyalty to one's own religious conviction, loyalty above all to Christ crucified and resurrected, is not expressed in violence and intolerance, but in a sincere respect for others, in dialog, in a proclamation that appeals to freedom and reason, in the commitment for peace and reconciliation."
Zenit has an English translation of the Holy Father's words before praying the midday Angelus before crowds gathered at the basilica, again appealing for peace. Here is an excerpt from Zenit:
"May St. Francis, man of peace, obtain for us from the Lord, the grace of an increasing number of people who will agree to become "instruments of peace" through thousands of small gestures in their daily lives. May those who are in positions of power be motivated by a passionate love for peace, an indomitable will to obtain it, and may they choose the adequate means to reach it."
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