Pope Benedict concludes series of audience talks begun by predecessor

Published: 2006-02-15

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Concluding a series of audience talks begun by Pope John Paul II in 2001, Pope Benedict XVI said the psalms and canticles used for morning and evening prayer are a "flowering garden" of praise and contemplation. At his weekly general audience Feb. 15, the pope announced that with a brief meditation on Mary's Magnificat he was concluding the series begun "years ago by my beloved predecessor, the unforgettable Pope John Paul II." Because of the large number of visitors present, the pope actually held two audiences: one in St. Peter's Basilica and the other in the Vatican audience hall. Arriving in the basilica more than 20 minutes late, the pope still spent about 10 minutes shaking hands and blessing guests sitting next to the barricades around the main altar. The crowd included some 6,000 Italian grade school and high school students.

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