"From such a charming place, I wish to renew the Christian message of cooperation and peace among all peoples, especially those that crown this sea, an ancient cradle of civilisation, and those of the Near and Middle East". This was said by the Pope yesterday, during the Angelus that he said in the port of Brindisi, to mark the end of his tenth apostolic journey in Italy, in Santa Maria di Leuca and Brindisi. "The place where we are now the port is full of a pithy symbolic meaning", began Benedict XVI, according to whom "every port speaks of hospitality, shelter, safety; it speaks of a longed-for landing place, maybe after a long, difficult navigation. But it also speaks of departures, plans and aspirations, of future". In particular, the port of Brindisi "plays a primary role as a gate to the Mediterranean Sea and the East, and that’s why it also hosts a UN base which serves an important humanitarian role". (continued)
