Through the Gospel, commented Benedict XVI, "John the Baptist keeps speaking through the centuries, to every generation. His clear, biting words are healthier than ever for us, men and women of our time, where even our way of living and conceiving Christmas is unfortunately very often imbued with a materialistic mentality". According to the Pope, "the ‘voice’ of the great prophet asks us to pave the way to the Lord who comes in today’s deserts, in our outer and inner deserts, which thirst for the live water that is Christ". Before saying the Angelus, the Pontiff recalled that December 8th was the feast of the Immaculate Conception: "The liturgy he said invited us to look at Mary, the mother of Jesus and our mother, the Star of hope for every man". Hence his wish: "May the Virgin guide us to a true conversion of the heart, that we may make the choices required to attune our mentalities with the Gospel". After the Angelus, Benedict XVI reminded the university students of Rome of the meeting of the afternoon of December 13th, at the end of Mass officiated by card. Camillo Ruini: "I expect you will come in large numbers, to get ready for the Holy Christmas he stated , while invoking the gift of the Spirit of wisdom for the whole university community".
