On line on December 19th, 20th and 21st, an experiment from SIR Daily News in English. The service will officially start on January 9th 2006
The Pope devoted the first part of his special catechesis on Christmas to the "subject of light that surpasses darkness", the symbol of the "light of good that defeats evil, of love that overcomes hatred, of life that beats death". "The festivity of Christmas began Benedict XVI coincides in our hemisphere with the days of the year when the sun completes its downward trajectory and begins to slowly extend the time of daily light, according to the recurring succession of seasons. This helps us understand the subject of light that surpasses darkness". "Christmas reminds us of this inner light, the light of God continued the Pope and makes us think again of the announcement of the final victory of God’s love over sin and death", through the figure of the Saviour as the "star that shows the way and guides men, who walk amidst the darkness and the dangers of the world towards the salvation promised by God and fulfilled in Jesus Christ". In the last part of the catechesis, Benedict XVI gave "his most heart-felt wishes for a holy and merry Christmas to all of you who are here today, to your families, to your communities and to all your dear ones", wishing "a Merry Christmas to everybody" and encouraging everyone to live "intensely these last few days before Christmas, along with Mary, the Virgin of silence and listening". At the end of the audience, the Pope also greeted the delegates of the Adult Catholic Scout Movement and the members of the Third Millennium Artists’ Association. A group of pipers in traditional costumes was also in the square.
