Humanity can end hatred by following God's law with love, pope says

Published: 2006-01-25

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- By following God's law with sincerity and love, humanity can end the hatred, conflicts and warfare plaguing the world and usher in a new era of justice and peace, Pope Benedict XVI said in his weekly general audience. "Only the people who know God and defend spiritual and moral values" can reach real peace, "bring in the strength of peace for the world and to other peoples," he said in remarks apart from the text. Speaking to nearly 8,000 pilgrims gathered in the Vatican's Paul VI hall, the pope dedicated his Jan. 25 catechesis to the last half of Psalm 144. The psalmist paints a picture of the coming of a "new, joyous world," marked by peace, prosperity and families blessed with children, fertile flocks and fields. These same images of abundance and serenity "can also become a sign for us of the birth of a more just society," the pope said.

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