Pope Benedict: Church is called to be a sign of peace and reconciliation...

Opening Mass of the Synod of Middle Eastern Bishops

The Holy Father entrusted the Synod for the Middle East to Mary's intercession so that the region grows in communion and bears witness to the Gospel message. He welcomed the first day of the two-week Special Assembly for the Middle East, asking also for prayers that it be accompanied by the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

The Pope prayed the Angelus from his apartment window high above St. Peter's Square after having celebrated the opening Mass of the much-awaited Synod of Middle Eastern bishops.

Ushering in the beginning of the "extraordinary" event, he said that the Church "is called to be a sign and instrument of unity and reconciliation" in the region, which is "unfortunately marked by profound divisions and lacerated by age-old conflicts."

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