Pope says Advent is good time to rediscover hope, read encyclical

Published: 2007-12-03

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Benedict XVI began Advent by summarizing his latest encyclical on Christian hope and encouraging people to read it. The time before Christmas is a good period to rediscover the hope that Christ brought to human history, which can "change one's life," the pope said Dec. 2, the first Sunday of Advent. He said he wrote his second encyclical, "Spe Salvi" (on Christian hope), for the entire church and for all people of good will. The 76-page text was released at the Vatican Nov. 30. Addressing pilgrims at his noon blessing, the pope said the essence of Christian hope was an awareness of God and "the discovery that he has the heart of a good and merciful father." Christ's life and death gave God's love a human face, he said.

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