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Dear Brothers and Sisters,
It is with great joy that I welcome you and also greet those following
this audience through radio and television. After the holy death
of my beloved predecessor, Pope John Paul II, I come before you
today for my first General Audience. Filled with sentiments of awe
and thanksgiving, I wish to speak of why I chose the name Benedict.
Firstly, I remember Pope Benedict XV, that courageous prophet of
peace, who guided the Church through turbulent times of war. In
his footsteps I place my ministry in the service of reconciliation
and harmony between peoples. Additionally, I recall Saint Benedict
of Norcia, co-patron of Europe, whose life evokes the Christian
roots of Europe. I ask him to help us all to hold firm to the centrality
of Christ in our Christian life: May Christ always take first place
in our thoughts and actions!
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I extend a special welcome to the English-speaking pilgrims here
today, including groups from England, Wales, Ireland, Finland, Norway,
Sweden, Australia, Vietnam, India, Pakistan, Singapore and the United
States of America. Thank you for the affection with which you have
greeted me. Upon all of you, I invoke the peace and joy of Jesus
Christ our Lord!
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