The Holy Father admitted that "A first reading of the Encyclical could perhaps give rise to the impression that it is divided into two parts with little in common between them: a first theoretical part discussing the essence of love, and a second part covering ecclesial charity and charitable organizations.”
He pointed out however, that he “was interested precisely in the unity between the two themes, only if seen as a single thing can they be properly understood.”
“On the basis of the Christian image of God,” Benedict continued, “it was necessary to show how man was created to love, and how this love, which initially appears above all as 'eros' between man and woman, must then be internally transformed into 'agape,' into the giving of self to others."
He stressed that "On this basis, it was necessary to clarify how the essence of the love for God and for others, ... is the core of Christian life, the fruit of faith."
Then, he said, in the second part of the document, “As to the divine Logos, corresponds the human proclamation of the word, so to the Agape which is God himself, should correspond the agape of the Church in its charitable work…It was necessary to highlight that the totally personal act of 'agape' can never remain a purely individual issue, rather it must also become an essential act of the Church as community; in other words, it also needs the institutional form that finds expression in the community activity of the Church."
The Pope concluded his address saying that "The ecclesial organization of charity is not a form of social assistance, a casual addition to the reality of the Church. ... Rather, it is part of the nature of the Church, ... [and] must in some way make the living God visible.”
“The spectacle of suffering man touches our hearts,” he said. “But charitable commitment has a meaning that goes well beyond simple philanthropy. It is God Himself Who encourages us from within our most intimate selves to alleviate misery. ... It is He Himself Whom we carry into a suffering world.”
He closed, by affirming that “The greater the awareness and clarity with which we bear Him as a gift, the more effectively will our love change the world.