VATICAN - The Pope at the Angelus: “that a horizon of peace and concord may dawn as soon as possible on Libya and on the entire region of North Africa”

Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) – An appeal to guarantee the safety and security of Libyans and their access to humanitarian relief, was launched by the Holy Father Benedict XVI after the recitation of the Angelus prayer, Sunday, 20 March. “In the past few days the disturbing news from Libya has given rise to keen anxiety and fears also in me,” revealed the Pope. “I said special prayers to the Lord about it during the week of Spiritual Exercises. I am following the latest events with deep apprehension, I am praying for those involved in the tragic situation in this country and I address a pressing appeal to all who have political and military responsibilities, so that they may first of all have at have at heart the safety and security of citizens and guarantee their access to humanitarian aid. I would like to assure the people of my heartfelt closeness, while I ask God to obtain that a horizon of peace and concord may dawn as soon as possible on Libya and on the entire region of North Africa.”
In his Address prior to the Angelus, the Holy Father reflected on the Gospel of the Second Sunday of Lent, dedicated to the mystery of the Transfiguration of Christ: “According to the senses, the light of the sun is the brightest light known in nature but, according to the spirit, the disciples briefly glimpsed an even more intense splendour, that of the divine glory of Jesus which illumines the whole history of salvation.... The Transfiguration is not a change in Jesus but the revelation of his divinity,” explained the Pope, emphasising that “Peter, James and John, contemplating the divinity of Lord, are ready to face the scandal of the Cross”, and which in the end is an invitation to make space for prayer, to listen to the Word of God and, especially during this Lenten season, to penance. (SL) (Agenzia Fides 21/03/2011)