05/13/2012
Benedict XVI greets the Italian prime minister, Mario Monti
The pontiff makes an appeal in Arezzo: “Let us beat the crisis by sharing resources and changing lifestyles”giacomo galeazziarezzo
Benedict XVI has made an appeal in Arezzo to beat the crisis by changing our lifestyles. On the helicopter ramp, the pope greeted prime minister Monti and (in a move that breaks with customary protocol) his wife Elsa, then during the homily of the mass said in Il Prato park, he called for a new effort to beat "an ephemeral culture which has disappointed many and determined a profound spiritual crisis". The pontiff’s advice for tackling this material and spiritual crisis was that one should not give way to “materialistic ideologies” but return to the teaching of values. In the name of values, of solidarity, dignity and life, the pope asked that everything be done to fight “an ephemeral culture which has disappointed many and determined a profound spiritual crisis".
"Within the context of the Church in Italy, committed [in the past decade] to the theme of education,” he said later in his homily, “we must ask, especially in this region where the Renaissance was born, what vision of Man are we proposing to the new generations… This land was the birthplace of great Renaissance personalities, from Petrarch to Vasari,” he said, “and played an active role in affirming that concept of Man which left its mark on the history of Europe, drawing strength from Christian values. In recent times, too, the ideal heritage of your city has been expressed by some of its most illustrious children – through their university research and other institutions – where they have elaborated the concept of civitas defining it in terms of the Christian ideal [of the era of the city-state to] the people of our time… Be ferment in society, be present as Christians, be active and coherent." Among the distinctive values of the Church in Arezzo, he said during the Parco del Prato mass, "are solidarity, attention to the weak, respect for the dignity of all". The pope also mentioned the "hospitality" that citizens of Arezzo have shown for centuries and their “solidarity” towards the poor and weak. Benedict XVI said mass alongside Tuscany’s bishops and before beginning the service he listened to the greeting of mayor Giuseppe Fanfani and bishop Riccardo Fontana, both of which referred to the economic crisis that is affecting society in Arezzo. The bishop also mentioned the issue of immigrants. "I know about your Church’s commitment to promoting Christian life,” said the pope in his homily. “Be ferment in society, be present as Christians, be active and coherent. With its centuries-old history, the city of Arezzo,” he stressed, “summarises significant expressions of culture and values.”
The pope mentioned many saints that hailed from this area, including Donato, a bishop who was committed to “uniting” peoples, and Pope Gregory X, committed to "reforming the Church" and to an attempt to heal the Schism with the Eastern church, apart from anything else, with the Council of Lyon. With the example of these and other saints and famous figures from Arezzo, Benedict XVI drew encouraging words for the local Church to be present in society. He often returned to the issue of “hospitality”, “solidarity”, “care of the weak” and of respect for the dignity of all. Even if “severely struck by the economic crisis”, let us continue to protect “the weaker members of society”, let us identify "quick and effective solutions" especially for the young, who have been hit hardest. The crisis can be beaten by sharing “resources” and changing “lifestyles”. “Of course,” said Benedict XVI, “this area has also been severely struck by the economic crisis. The complexity of the problems make it difficult to find quick and effective solutions to come out of the present situation, which affects the weakest elements especially and greatly worries young people.” He then went on to say: “Since the remotest times, attention to others has moved the Church to show concrete signs of solidarity with those in need, sharing resources and promoting simpler lifestyles."
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