Pope Benedict XVI met with Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora. The reason? The continued violence in the Muslim world over the Prophet Muhammad cartoons.

The meeting lasted about 20 minutes in private in Benedict’s library before being joined by Siniora’s 12-member delegation, which included his wife and several Lebanese ministers.

Muslims make up at least 60 per cent of Lebanon’s estimated 3.5 million population, with the remainder Christian.

The Pope has singled out Lebanon in some recent speeches, including his Christmas Day message in which he said that signs of hope in the country, as well as in Iraq and the Holy Land, needed to be “confirmed by actions inspired by fairness and wisdom”.

Full story at Scotsman.com

Thousands gathered to listen Pope Benedict’s meditations in Paul VI Hall.

The Pope read a meditation on one of the Psalms that appears in the Liturgy of the Hours at one of his general audiences as usual. After reading, he commented on the passage:

“In our difficulties, problems, temptations, we must not simply engage in a theoretical reflection — from whence do they come? — but must react positively, invoking the Lord, maintaining a living contact with the Lord […] Beyond that, we must cry out the name of Jesus: ‘Jesus, help me!’ And we may be sure that he listens to us, as he is near to those who seek him. Let us not be discouraged; rather, let us run with ardor … and we too will reach life, Jesus, the Lord.”

Via Zenit

See others through Christ’s eyes, said Pope Benedict XVI in Lenten message.

He said that the best way Church can help fight poverty is through spiritual help, teaching the truth of God.

He finished the message with these words: “It is this integral salvation that Lent puts before us, pointing towards the victory of Christ over every evil that oppresses us. In turning to the Divine Master, in being converted to Him, in experiencing His mercy through the Sacrament of Reconciliation, we will discover a “gaze” that searches us profoundly and gives new life to the crowds and to each one of us. It restores trust to those who do not succumb to scepticism, opening up before them the perspective of eternal beatitude. Throughout history, even when hate seems to prevail, the luminous testimony of His love is never lacking. To Mary, “the living fount of hope” (Dante Alighieri, Paradiso, XXXIII, 12), we entrust our Lenten journey, so that she may lead us to her Son. I commend to her in particular the multitudes who suffer poverty and cry out for help, support, and understanding. With these sentiments, I cordially impart to all of you a special Apostolic Blessing.”

Click here to read the full message