VATICANO - In light of the Beatitudes “the Church does not fear poverty, humiliation or persecution in a society often attracted by material wellbeing and worldly power”

Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) – “The Beatitudes are a new programme for life, to free ourselves from the false values of the world and open ourselves to true goodness, now and in the future, said the Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI prior to reciting the Angelus on Sunday, 30 January. “When, in fact, God consoles, when He satisfies hunger for justice or dries the tears of the afflicted, this means that, apart from rewarding each person in material terms, He opens the Kingdom of Heaven.... For this reason the Church does not fear poverty, humiliation or persecution in a society often attracted by material wellbeing and worldly power”. Recalling the Sermon on the Mount, proclaimed in Sunday's Liturgy of the Word, the Pope emphasised that “it is not a new ideology, but a teaching that comes from above and touches the human condition, precisely that which the Lord, who became flesh, wanted to assume, to save humankind. Therefore, 'the Sermon on the Mount is directed to the whole world, now and in the future... and it can be understood and experienced only in following Jesus, in walking with Him'.”
After the Marian prayer, the Holy Father, on the occasion of “World Leprosy Day”, said: “Leprosy, though in regression, unfortunately still affects many people who live in conditions of dire poverty. To all leprosy sufferers, I give assurances of my prayers, which I extend to the people who assist them and to those who, in various ways, are committed to eradicating Hansen's disease. I address a particularly warm greeting to the Italian Association of Friends founded by Raoul Follereau and celebrating 50 years of operation.”
He then addressed some remarks to the people of various Far Eastern States, who are currently celebrating the new lunar year. “To all those great peoples, my heartfelt best wishes for serenity and prosperity,” he said. Then he invited “everyone to pray to the Lord that hearts and minds may converge on authentic projects of peace” in the Holy Land, for the “International Day of Intercession for Peace in the Holy Land”.
Finally he greeted the young people from Catholic Action in the Diocese of Rome, gathered in St Peter's Square at the end of their annual month-long “Caravan of Peace” initiative. After the Angelus, a boy and girl from Catholic Action joined the Holy Father at his window and greeted him. Then two white doves were released as a sign of peace. (SL) (Agenzia Fides 31/1/2011)