VATICAN - Pope Benedict XVI in Austria - “I appreciate your efforts as members of Holy Childhood. I see you are little collaborators in the service which the Pope offers the Church and the world: you help me with your prayers and with your efforts to spread the Gospel”

Vienna (Agenzia Fides) - On Sunday 9 September after the recitation of the Angelus prayer in front of the St Stephen's Cathedral in Vienna Pope Benedict XVI said a few words to Austrian Catholic children members of the Pontifical Society of Holy Childhood to thank them for letters and drawings sent to him on the occasion of his visit to Austria (see Fides 5/9/2007), and he handed them a Letter of which we give the English translation:
“Dear Children! On the occasion of my pastoral visit to Austria, I am happy to address you active members of the Pontifical Society of Holy Childhood. I thank you for your letters and drawings sent to me as a sign of your affection and closeness to me in my mission. Your letters express those sentiments of faith and love which make children deeply loved by Jesus who welcome them with open arms and held them up as examples for his disciples: " for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs" (Mk 10,14).
I wish to tell you how much I appreciate your efforts as members of Holy Childhood. I see you are little collaborators in the service which the Pope offers the Church and the world: you help me with your prayers and with your efforts to spread the Gospel. In fact there are still countless children who have never heard of Jesus. And there are many who do not have enough food, or schooling or healthcare; many live without peace or happiness. The Church cares for them in a special way with the help of missionaries; and you are called to offer your help personally and as a group. Friendship with Jesus is such a beautiful gift that we cannot keep it for ourselves alone! We fell the need to give this gift to others: and when a gift is given it grows! Continue in your efforts! You are growing up and will soon be adolescents and then young men and women: never lose you spirit of mission! Keep your faith strong and pure, like the faith of Saint Peter.
My dear little friends I entrust you all to the protection of Our Lady. I pray for you for your parents and your brothers and sisters. I pray for your missionary groups and your teachers and to all I gladly impart my Apostolic Blessing. Given at Castel Gandolfo, 3 September 2007 BENEDICTUS PP XVI
(S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 10/9/2007; righe 27, parole 385)