Advertise in this spot on CatholicCulture.org. View all ads.

Catholic World News News Feature

Pope Benedict in Brazil: Saturday roundup May 14, 2007

Pope Benedict XVI issued a stern warning of divine retribution for drug traffickers, as he visited a Brazilian treatment center for addicts on Saturday, May 12.

Later in the day the Holy Father gave a stirring challenge to religious to bring back Catholics who have fallen away from the faith.

After celebrating Mass privately on Saturday morning at the Bom Jesus seminary where he had spent the night, the Pope traveled to the Fazenda da Esperanca ("Farm of Hope") in Guaratingueta, where he blessed a new chapel dedicated to the newly canonized Brazilian saint, Frei Galvao.

Pope Benedict waded into the crowd of 1,500 recovering addicts that had assembled at the center, to the obvious dismay of security officials who had hoped to keep the audience at a distance. In his address to the group, the Pontiff asked the former drug users to be "ambassadors of hope," helping others to overcome the same problem.

In a message to those who profit from drug abuse, the Pope said that dealers should "reflect on the grave harm that they are inflicting on countless young people and adults." He remarked that drug abuse and drug trafficking are serious problems throughout Latin America. "God will call you to account for your deeds!" he warned the dealers.

On Saturday evening the Pope prayed the Rosary with priests, religious, and deacons from around Brazil, gathered at the Marian shrine of Aparecida. After leading the prayer and the singing of the Salve Regina, the Pope offered a brief homily, encouraging the clerics and religious to "remain in the school of Mary" and dedicate themselves entirely to the service of the Church.

Emphasizing the importance of a faithful public witness from priests and religious, Pope Benedict asked his listeners to support a spiritual renewal in Latin America, by their prayers and their actions.

The Holy Father encouraged the Brazilian clerics and religious to "maintain a sense of belonging to the Church," and help others to develop that sense as well. Membership in the Church, he observed, is the path to "peace and happiness, in this life and the next." Therefore, he said, "It is worthy being faithful; it is worth persevering in faith."

"The Church is our home!" the Pope said with special emphasis, repeating: "This is our home!"