VATICAN - The term “peace” refers to[…] “salvation” brought by Christ […] We recognise Him as the Prince of peace. Pope Benedict XVI presides Mass for the solemnity of Most Holy Mary, Mother of God.

Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - In his homily on January 1st during Mass in St Peter’s Basilica for the solemnity of the Most Holy Mary Mother of God, Pope Benedict XVI underlined the historical dimension of the events of the Nativity, stressing the inseparable bond between recognition of the truth of the Incarnation of the Word, and recognition of Most Holy Mary, as Mother of God: “Today’s solemnity celebrates therefore not an abstract idea, but rather a mystery and an historical event: Jesus Christ, a divine person, born of the Virgin Mary who is his mother in the truest sense of the word”.
Underlining that in Mary, Maternity and Virginity are absolutely inseparable, the Pope reaffirmed the role of the Mother of God regarding the Church and the whole of humanity: “Mary is a mother, a virgin mother; Mary is a virgin, a virgin Mother. The mystery of Mary cannot be fully understood unless these two aspects are considered […] “The Mother of Christ, Mary is also Mother of the Church as my venerable predecessor, Servant of God Paolo VI proclaimed on 21 November 1964, during the Second Vatican Council. Mary is lastly, spiritual Mother of all humanity, because Jesus shed his blood on the cross for all men and women and from the cross he entrusted all men and women to her maternal care”.
The Pope also dwelt on the theme of the Message for this year’s World Day of Peace: “The Human Person, Heart of Peace”. The Holy Father said peace is a gift and a task: “the term ‘peace’ refers to that whole good which consists of ‘salvation’ brought by Christ […] We Christians recognise Him as the Prince of peace”.
Peace therefore is not essentially the fruit of human effort, although man is involved with his personal freedom and personal “yes” to justice and truth, instead it is a gift which comes from on high and depends on recognition of the existence and loving presence of God in the world. In brief, Christ is our peace .
To accept the gift of peace we must first accept man as created by God, in full respect for the dignity of every human person, and the Pope said: “respecting the person we promote peace, and building peace we lay the foundation for authentic integral humanism” […] “every human person, without distinction of race, culture or religion, bears the same personal dignity” and deserves respect”, for no reason can the person be disposed of as an object […] If the constitute elements of the human dignity are entrusted to changeable human opinions, also human rights, while solemnly proclaimed, are undermined and prey to variable interpretation.”.
An integrant part of the acceptance of the gift of peace and the person, is respect for religious freedom in every corner of the earth.
Pope Benedict XVI concluded his homily urging those present to pray for the gift of peace in the Holy Land: “"How can we not implore with insistent prayers that that region may, as soon as possible, achieve the day of peace, the day in which the current conflict, that has gone on for too many years, is definitively resolved. A peace agreement, in order to last, must be founded upon the dignity and rights of each person.?”. (S.V.) (Agenzia Fides 2/1/2007 Righe: 38 Parole: 536)