Vatican City, Jun 10, 2008 / 08:27 am
On Monday, Pope Benedict XVI opened the congress for the Diocese of Rome on the theme, “Jesus has risen. Educating for hope in prayer, in action and in suffering.” He told the Romans that they should not look to science and technology for hope and redemption, but to instead open their lives to God.
The Roman basilica of St. John Lateran hosted the Pope as he inaugurated the ecclesial congress which will last from June 9-12. He spoke to those gathered on the theme of hope in today’s society.
"In today's society and culture, and hence also in this our beloved city of Rome, it is not easy to live in an atmosphere of Christian hope," he said. "There is a widespread feeling that, for both Italy and Europe, the best years have passed and that a future of instability and uncertainty awaits the new generations.”
"Moreover," the Holy Father added, "hopes for great novelties and improvements are concentrated on science and technology." Yet, "it is not science and technology that can give meaning to our lives and teach us to distinguish good from evil,” he said.