The first encyclical by Pope Benedict XVI, as he explained himself today at the general audience that was held in the Aula Paolo VI because of the rain, "will speak of the concept of love in different dimensions. It will include Christian charity, but as a single movement in different dimensions". On one side, explained the Holy Father, "eros, love between man and woman, which is as strong as the goodness of the Maker", on the other side, "agape, which gives itself up and makes itself a gift for the other; it does not look for itself, its own joys and delights, but above all for the good of the other". In this way, went on Benedict XVI as he drew a sort of "abstract" of the first document of his magisterium, "eros turns into charity, which opens up to the family based on marriage and the larger family, which is the social family, society, and the family of the world". This "very personal love that comes from God", explained the Pope, is "a single act of love, which must also express itself as an ecclesial, organic act". "While it is true that love is an expression of human life said the Holy Father it is also an essential act of faith, which becomes an ecclesial act. The Church too, as an institution, must be love: caritas not in the sense of an organisation like other organisations, but like a necessary expression of a different, deeper love that God created in our hearts and that makes us the images of God’s love". At the beginning of the extempore conversation in which he personally announced the forthcoming publication of his first Encyclical, Benedict XVI spoke of the ecumenical journey, by saying, off the cuff: "There’s so much to be thankful for. Even if there’s still so much to be hoped for and to be done, don’t let’s forget that God gave us a lot through communion, and we are thankful to Him for these gifts". Then, he recalled that on January 25th, "with these feelings, I will go to the Basilica "San Paolo Fuori le Mura" to pray with the Orthodox and Protestant brothers for the gift that God granted us. The Lord guides us on the footsteps of unity". Then, the announcement of the much-awaited Encyclical, which puts an end to the rumours that had leaked out on the press this week.
