VATICAN - “God expresses his royalty by caring for the most fragile and helpless of his creatures”: the Pope says in his weekly teaching at the general audience during which he mentioned Fr Andrea Santoro the Italian missionary murdered in Turkey last Sunday

Vatican City (Fides Service) - During his general audience this morning in the Paul VI Hall Pope Benedict XVI explained the meaning of the second part of Psalm 144 (verses14-21 - “Your Kingdom is eternal” - vespers Friday week 4).
“The Psalmist focuses his attention on God’s love for those who are poor and weak - the Holy Father said -. Divine royalty is not cold or haughty as it can happen in the exercise of human power. God expresses his royalty by caring for the most fragile and helpless of his creatures.” In fact “God is above all else a father who «sustains those who falter» and lifts up those who have fallen in the dust of humiliation... Like a loving parent he offers the food necessary for life”. The psalmist then professes his faith in the two divine qualities par excellence: justice and holiness, and described in various ways the beneficiaries, tracing in this way a profile of the true believer. “The believer «invokes» the Lord in trustful prayer, «searches» for Him in life «with a sincere heart», «fears» God, respecting his will and obeying his word, but above all else the believer «loves», certain of being wrapped in the mantle of God’s protection and intimacy ”.
The Psalmist concludes with the same expressions used at the beginning of the hymn: “a call to praise and bless the Lord and his ‘name’, that is, his living and holy person in the world and in history”. All creatures are invited to join in prayer and praise in a “community celebration of the universal love of God who is the source of peace, joy and salvation”.
After teaching and greeting in various languages the Pope made special mention of the Italian missionary priest killed in Turkey on 5 February: “I cannot fail to mention Fr Andrea Santoro, Fidei donum priest of the diocese of Rome, killed while he knelt in prayer last Sunday in Turkey. Only yesterday I received a letter he wrote on 31 January together with the minute Catholic community of Saint Mary’s Trabzon. The letter is a touching testimonial of love and loyalty to Christ and to his Church. May the Lord receive the soul of this silent and courageous servant of the Gospel and may the sacrifice of his life promote the cause of dialogue among religions and peace among peoples.” (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 8/2/2006, righe 28, parole 435)