In today's General Audience, the Holy Father spoke about his journey to the Holy Land completed last Friday. He said, "Despite the vicissitudes that through the centuries have marked the holy sites, despite the wars, the destruction and unfortunately, the conflicts among Christians, the Church has continued her mission, moved by the Spirit of the Risen Lord." He said that the Church is on the path toward full unity "so that the world believes in the love of God and experiences the joy of his peace." He asked people to pray for that objective.
Zenit has a full English translation. The Vatican Press Office's Daily Bulletin has the original Italian text. Asia News has its article. There are photos and more at Benedetto XVI Forum.
At the end of the Audience, the Holy Father mentioned this Sunday's World Communications Day and his Message for World Communications Day 2009. Specifically encouraging those who use new technologies, such as the digital world, to communicate, and especially the young, he said:
"The new technologies have brought about fundamental shifts in the ways in which news and information are disseminated and in how people communicate and relate to each other. I wish to encourage all those who access cyberspace to be careful to maintain and promote a culture of respect, dialogue and authentic friendship where the values of truth, harmony and understanding can flourish.
"Young people in particular, I appeal to you: bear witness to your faith through the digital world! Employ these new technologies to make the Gospel known, so that the Good News of God’s infinite love for all people, will resound in new ways across our increasingly technological world!"
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