Moreover, pondering the role of laymen, Benedict XVI added: "This participation in the social change will be effective on one condition: it is necessary to train competent laymen serving common good. This training, in which awareness of the social doctrine of the Church is an essential element, must take into consideration commitment on a civil level. In this way, laymen will be able to tackle daily challenges in the political, economical, social and cultural fields". Then, the Pope lingered on the pastoral of marriage: he said that "while the number of Christian marriages remains relatively limited (in Mali, out of 11.4 million inhabitants, the Christians are about 1% of the population editor’s note), the Church has to help the baptized, especially the young, to understand the beauty and the dignity of this sacrament". This will allow Christian couples he added to remain faithful to marriage promises", following the model "of the faithfulness manifested by God in the indestructible alliance which He himself concluded with man". Finally, the Pope referred to the "cordial relationships" between Catholic believers and "Muslim compatriots" (making up 80% of the population editor’s note). Then, he wished for "the encouragement of peaceful coexistence on all society levels".
