Pope denounces killing of civilians
Benedict XVI continued his public pleas for a ceasefire in Lebanon
Pope Benedict XVI continued his public pleas for a ceasefire in Lebanon during his regular weekly public audience on August 2.
"I would like to repeat that nothing, anywhere, can justify the shedding of innocent blood," the Pope said. He urged continued prayers for the "beloved, tortured region of the Middle East."
Pope Benedict has spoken out against the violence in Lebanon at every public appearance since the fighting began. At this public audience-- his first since concluding his vacation in the Italian Apls last week-- he spoke with obvious emotion about the civilian casualties of the war-- "particularly children"-- saying that "our eyes are full of horrifying images of mangled bodies."
More than 35,000 altar boys attended the papal audience, as part of a retreated organized by the international group Coetus Internationalist Ministrantium, which offers spiritual formation for lay people in liturgical service. Speaking to that group in German-- because over 30,000 of altar boys were from Germany-- the Pope remember that service at the altar is both a form of witness and a means of drawing closer to Christ.
The Pope urged his young listeners to be open to a call from God, recognizing that their service at the altar is an opportunity for discerning a vocation, and perhaps hearing a call to the priesthood. "Listen to that voice!" he urged them.
The Holy Father traveled to the Vatican, from his summer residence for the Wednesday audience. He returned to Castel Gandolfo in the afternoon.
