Pope Benedict XVI Blog

Pope recalls work of Paul VI through "difficult years"

Castel Gandolfo, Aug. 6, 2007 (CWNews.com) - At his Angelus audience on Sunday, August 5, Pope Benedict XVI (bio - news) looked forward to the feast of the Transfiguration, which the Church would celebrate the next day, and recalled that Pope Paul VI died on that date 29 years ago.

Pope Benedict spoke to an overflow crowd gathered in the courtyard of the papal summer resident at Castel Gandolfo. He later appeared from a balcony at the front of the palace to greet those who had not been able to squeeze into the courtyard.

In his remarks the Pope reflected on the day's Gospel, with its warning to "guard against greed, because even for the rich, everything passes; it all can come to a sudden end." The accumulation of material goods can be a dangerous distraction, the Pope warned; Christians must always strive the absolute good that is life with God.

The memory of Pope Paul "invites us to raise our eyes to heaven," the Pope continued. He remarked that Paul VI had served the Church faithfully through "difficult years" before he died at Castel Gandolfo in 1978.

posted by Dr. Denice Hanley, DPM, M.Div. @ 7:04 PM