Benedict XVI marks the start of Advent Season

Watch and listen to reports on what the Holy Father said at the first vespers of Advent and during his angelus address on the First Sunday of Advent.

In this podcast we hear on a report on the Holy Father’s homily at the first vespers of the advent season.

Meaning of Advent

Many believers gathered in the Basilica of St. Peter, Saturday, November 28th, for the celebration of First Vespers of the First Sunday of Advent, presided over by Benedict XVI and inspired by the Sistine Chapel choir and the Mater Ecclesiae choir. In his homily, referring to the passage of the First Epistle to the Thessalonians read during the recitation of Vespers, the Holy Father reflected on the meaning of Advent, the “arrival”, the “coming”, the “visitation” of God who enters our life and desires to speak directly to us.

Video – Angelus on First Sunday of Advent

Constant need for hope

Pope Benedict XVI prayed the Angelus with the faithful gathered this Sunday morning in St Peters Square.

In remarks before the prayer, Pope Benedict said Jesus Christ is not only for Christians, not just for believers: He is for all men, because it is He who is the center of faith, and the foundation of hope. Every human being, said Pope Benedict, is in constant need of Hope. On this first Sunday of Advent, the Holy Father spoke of the significance of the liturgical year, saying “Above all else, the world today needs hope, people in developing countries need it, just as do people in economically advanced societies. More and more we realize that we are all in the same boat and must find our salvation together.