Pope calls on those with political and military responsibility in Libya

Pope Benedict XVI has called on those in “positions of military and political responsibility” in Libya to have the well being of citizens above all at heart and guarantee the arrival of humanitarian aid” and that they reign so that the entire region “may known a horizon of peace and harmony”. 

In a appeal launched after reciting the Angelus Sunday in St Peter's Square, the Pope spoke of the "alarming news" coming from Libya.

"In recent days - his words - the disturbing news coming from Libya have awakened in me fear and trepidation. I prayed especially to the Lord about it during the week of the Spiritual Exercises. I am following – he continued - the latest developments with great concern, I pray for those involved in the dramatic situation in that country and make an urgent appeal to all political and military leaders, that they may have at heart, above all, the safety and security of their citizens and that they may ensure access to humanitarian relief. To the people I want to assure my heartfelt closeness, and I ask God that a horizon of peace and harmony may arise as soon as possible on Libya and the entire North African region”.

Before the Marian prayer and, previously, during the visit he made in the parish of St. Corbinian all'Infernetto, on the southern the outskirts of the city, Benedict XVI, spoke of the Transfiguration of which the Gospel for this Sunday of Lent.

"The Transfiguration – he said during a Mass celebrated in the parish - is a revelation of the person of Jesus, his profound reality. In fact, the eyewitnesses of the event, namely the three Apostles, they were enveloped in a cloud, which is also light – which in the Bible always announces the presence of God - and heard a voice saying, "This is my Son, the beloved: in him I am well pleased. Listen to him "(Mt 17:5). With this event, the disciples are prepared for the paschal mystery of Jesus: for overcoming the terrible ordeal of his passion and also understanding the luminous fact of the resurrection.

"The story - he continued - also speaks of Moses and Elijah who appeared and talked with Jesus. In fact this episode has a relationship with two other divine revelations. Moses went up on Mount Sinai, and there was given the revelation of God.  He had asked to see Hiss glory, but God had told him that he would not see his face, but only from behind a rock (cf. Ex 33.18-23). Likewise, even Elia had a revelation of God on the mountain: a more intimate event, not a storm, an earthquake, or fire, but with a light breeze (cf. 1 Kings 19.11-13).  

Unlike these two episodes, the Transfiguration is not Jesus who has a revelation of God, but it is in Him that God reveals himself and reveals his face to the Apostles. So, who wants to know God, must contemplate the face of Jesus, his face transfigured: Jesus is the perfect revelation of the holiness and mercy of God. Also, we must note that God’s will was reveled to Moses on Mount Sinai: the Ten Commandments. And, still on the mountain, God revealed to Elijah a divine mission. Jesus, however, does not receive a revelation of what he should do: he already knows, rather it is the Apostles who hear, in the cloud, the voice of God commands: "Listen." The will of God is fully revealed in the person of Jesus, those who would live according to the will of God must follow Jesus, listen, accept his words and, with the help of the Holy Spirit, deepen them”.

"We too must participate – was his Angelus invitation – in this vision and this supernatural gift, giving space for prayer and listening to the Word of God also, especially in this time of Lent, I urge you, as the Servant of God Paul VI, "to respond to the divine precept of penitence by some voluntary act, apart from the renunciation imposed by the burdens of daily life”.

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