VATICAN - Benedict XVI at the Angelus reflection contemplates Immaculate Mary: “May her heavenly purity draw us to God, help us to overcome the temptation to live a mediocre life of compromise with evil and orient ourselves decidedly towards authentic goodness with is the source of joy”

Vatican City (Fides Service) -On Thursday December 8th (a bank holiday in Italy and other countries) in his brief address before leading the prayer of the Angelus at midday with people gathered in St Peter’s Square Pope Benedict XVI remarked on the feast day of Mary ‘Immaculate’ conceived without sin. “A day of intense spiritual rejoicing, on which we contemplate the Blessed Virgin Mary... in her there shines the eternal goodness of the Creator who chose her in his plan for salvation to be the mother of his only Son and in view of the death of the Son, preserved her from all stain of sin” the Pope said adding that “all are called to be holy and spotless in love before God ” (cfr Eph 1,4). The Blessed Virgin Mary reflects humanity’s aspiration to beauty, goodness and purity of heart. “May her heavenly purity draw us to God, help us to overcome the temptation to live a mediocre life of compromise with evil and orient ourselves decidedly towards authentic goodness with is the source of joy”.
The Holy Father mentioned the anniversary of the solemn closing 40 years ago of the Second Vatican Council, “the most important ecclesial event of the 20th century”. On that occasion Pope Paul VI “entrusted the implementation of the Council documents to the Blessed Virgin Mary, whom he invoked with the sweet title, Mother of the Church”. Benedict XVI thanked the Blessed Mother “for accompanying ecclesial life in these forty eventful years” and for watching over “with maternal love the pontificates of my predecessors each of whom, with great pastoral wisdom, guided the boat of Peter on the authentic route of renewal launched by the Council, working tirelessly for a faithful interpretation and implementation of Vatican II”.
Lastly the Pope encouraged those present to accompany him in spirit on his afternoon pilgrimage to may homage to the Blessed Virgin Mary in front of her statue in Piazza di Spagna. This - he said- “is an act of filial devotion to Mary, to entrust to her care the beloved city of Rome, the Church and all humanity”. After his address the Holy Father blessed the Olympic Torch on its way to Turin for Winter Olympic Games early next year: “May the flame remind people of the values of peace and brotherhood at the basis of the Olympic Games”. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 9/12/2005; righe 26, parole 368)