Vatican City, Nov 4, 2012 / 11:16 am
Pope Benedict XVI's Nov. 4 Angelus address reflected on the Sunday Mass reading from St. Mark's Gospel about the "greatest of all commandments," giving special attention to the commandment to love God and neighbor.
"Jesus did not invent one nor the other, but revealed that they are, after all, a single commandment," the Holy Father said with outstretched arms as he stood at his study window overlooking St. Peter's Square.
St. Peter's Square was unusually packed with pilgrims and visitors-extraordinary both because of the sheer number of people, estimated to be as many as 50,000, and because of the dismal weather. Mist turned into rain as the Pope's address ended with pealing bells and the blast of a particularly boisterous pilgrim's air horn.
The Pope reflected on the nature of love, saying one must love with words and witness. He said that love begins not as a command but a gift from God. This gift allows people to see God as he does-with unconditional love-and this in turn should encourage everyone to view one another the same way.