As the Lenten Retreat concluded at the Vatican on March 3, Pope Benedict XVI thanked Cardinal Giacomo Biffi, the preacher for this year’s spiritual exercises.Cardinal Biffi, the retired Archbishop of Bologna, had delivered a series of meditations for the Pope and the leaders of the Roman Curia during the week-long retreat, held in the Redemptoris Mater chapel.
In thanking the preacher, Pope Benedict told the cardinal that he had “taught use to lift our hearts toward the invisible, towards true reality. And you gave us the means by which we may respond every day to the challenges of that reality."
The Pope went on to say that the outspoken Italian cardinal-- who during one meditation had referred to the “spirit of the Antichrist” in the enthusiasms of the age-- had delivered a “very accurate and precise diagnosis of our situation today.”
Cardinal Biffi, the Pontiff said, had “showed us how, behind so many phenomena of our time, apparently far removed from religion and from Christ, is a question, an expectation, a desire; and that the only true response to this desire... is Christ."
The Lenten Retreat had helped the participants to focus their attention on Jesus Christ, and particularly on his Passion, the Pope said.
The retreat, which began last Sunday, concluded on Saturday evening.
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