Christians believe history marked by progress in holiness, says pope

Published: 2006-01-04

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Christians believe history is marked by progress, not toward greater wealth or ease, but in individual holiness and in the unity of the human family, Pope Benedict XVI said. Christians are called to live with a constant attitude of giving thanks to God, but it is an especially important attitude at the beginning of a new year, the pope said at his Jan. 4 general audience. Because of the cold weather and threat of rain, the pope held his audience indoors. The 15,000 people who requested free tickets to the gathering forced the Vatican to divide the crowd, with organized groups meeting the pope in the Vatican audience hall and individuals meeting him in St. Peter's Basilica. As the pope spoke in the audience hall a brief moment of tension came when a young woman ran down the center aisle toward the stage. A security guard stopped her well before she reached the pope and, putting his arm around her waist, led her to the back of the hall.

Copyright (c) 2006 Catholic News Service /U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The CNS news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed, including but not limited to such means as framing or any other digital copying or distribution method, in whole or in part without the prior written authority of Catholic News Service .