Pope says being Christian includes living out faith through charity

Published: 2006-06-28

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- To be a Christian is more than just identifying oneself as a believer in the faith; it entails living out the Gospel through concrete works of charity, especially for the poor and those in need, Pope Benedict XVI said. Faith in Christ "must come to fruition in one's life, above all in one's love for the other and in particular in caring for the poor," he said during his weekly general audience June 28. The pope continued a series of talks on the church's apostolic ministry by focusing his catechesis on St. James the Less. Because morning temperatures were already in the high 80s, the pope told the crowds in St. Peter's Square he would shorten his talk about St. James and his role in the early church and church in Jerusalem. Instead, the pope concentrated on the important legacy St. James left today's Christians in his teachings in the New Testament Letter of James. This apostle showed people "a Christianity (that is) very concrete and practical," the pope said.

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