PASTORAL VISIT TO THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MILAN
AND THE 7TH WORLD MEETING OF FAMILIES
(1-3 JUNE 2012)

LUNCHEON WITH THE CARDINALS, BISHOPS AND SOME FAMILIES

WORDS OF THE HIS HOLINESS BENEDICT  XVI

Archbishop's Residence in Milan
Sunday, 3 June 2012

At the end of the lunch given in the Archbishop's Residence on Sunday, 3 June, both Cardinal Scola and Cardinal Tettamanzi briefly greeted the Pope. The Archbishop emeritus also presented a precious copy of the Ambrosian Evangelarium – the work of great living artists under the direction of Fr Umberto Bordoni – on whose cover is portrayed the heavenly Jerusalem. Benedict XVI responded with a brief extemporaneous Address. The following is a translation of the Pope’s words in Italian.

Dear Friends,

I find it beautiful that in the end we return to the Word of God which is the key to life, the key to thinking and to living: thus we began with the Word and we are ending with the Word. We are in the atmosphere of true life. And I simply wanted to say “thank you” for all that I have experienced in these days: this experience of the living Church. Although at times we might think that Peter's barque is truly at the mercy of difficult adversaries, yet it is also true that we see the Lord is present, that he is alive and is truly risen and that this experience of the living Church, which lives by the love of God, which lives through the Risen Christ, is, let us say, the gift of these days. Let us therefore express our first gratitude to God. And let us also thank Cardinal Scola, Cardinal Tettamanzi, their collaborators, everyone, — the people who collaborated are many — and all who have celebrated with us.