"I think the time of Lent might even be a time of fasting from words and images, because we need some silence. We need a space without the relentless barrage of images (…), we need to create for us some spaces of silence and even without images, to reopen our hearts to the true image and to the true Word". This is the invitation that Benedict XVI made this morning to the clergy of the diocese of Rome, that he received in audience in the Vatican. The Pope, during the meeting, answered the priests’ questions off the cuff. The most recurring subjects, as reported by the Vatican Radio Station, were "the young, evangelisation, and the challenge of education". It is essential that "priests be able to testify that we can really get to know God, that we can be His friends and walk with Him". As to evangelisation, "dialogue he insisted means respecting others. But this dimension of dialogue, that is so essential he specified , does not rule out the annunciation of the Gospel, gift of the Truth that we cannot have for ourselves only, but must also offer to the others. Mission does not mean imposition, it means offering God’s gift, while letting His goodness enlighten us, otherwise we would neglect a duty".
