Pope Benedict Warns of Secular Trends
ABC NewsPope Warns of Threats to Christmas Celebration From Secular Trends
Pope Benedict XVI waves to faithful and pilgrims during his general audience at the Vatican Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2006. In his speech the Pontiff asked Christians to defend the spirit of Christmas against secular trends and wished a "Happy Christmas" in seven languages and told them that "false prophets continue to offer cheap salvation which ends up in deep delusions." (AP Photo/Plinio Lepri)
By DANIELA PETROFF
VATICAN CITY Dec 20, 2006 (AP)— Pope Benedict XVI urged Christians on Wednesday to defend the spirit of Christmas against secular trends during his last general audience before the holiday.
He wished the several thousand pilgrims and tourists gathered in a Vatican auditorium decorated with Christmas trees a "Happy Christmas" in seven languages and told them that "false prophets continue to offer cheap salvation which ends up in deep delusions."
"It is the duty of Christians to spread through a witness of life the truth of Christmas, which Christ brings to every man and woman of good will."
Throughout the audience, choral groups sang Christmas carols, including "Silent Night," a favorite in the pope's native Germany. Shepherds from Italy's Abruzzi mountains, in their traditional fur-trimmed costumes, played Italian carols on their bagpipes.
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posted by Dr. Denice Hanley, DPM, M.Div. @ 5:27 PM
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