It is God who gives life meaning, and only he can give us a future, Benedict XVI affirmed at the general audience in St. Peter's Square, in which he reflected on his trip last week to Germany.
"This visit, carried out under the motto 'Where God is, there is a future,' was truly a great feast of faith," the Holy Father stated. He said it was a precious gift that allowed us to perceive anew that it is God who gives our lives their deepest meaning.
As is customary after his apostolic trips, the Pontiff highlighted some of the main elements of his journey. He spoke of the invitation to go to the Bundestag as "certainly among the most significant moments of my journey."  It was the first time a Pope spoke before the members of the German Parliament.
He also noted the ecumenical tone of the visit.  Referring to the ecumenical events he reflected: "We saw once again how important our common witness of faith in Jesus Christ is in today's world, which often ignores God and takes no interest in him.
"Only Christ can give us this unity, and we ourselves will be ever more united in the measure that we turn to him and allow ourselves to be transformed by him." He said.
Speaking of his prayer vigil with youth, the Holy Father said he was "happy to see that the faith in my German homeland has a youthful face; that is it alive and has a future."
"Dear brothers and sisters,” he concluded,  “this apostolic journey to Germany offered me the propitious occasion to meet the faithful of my German homeland, to confirm them in faith, in hope and in love, and to share with them the joy of being Catholic,"
"But, he said , “my message was addressed to the whole German people, in order to invite everyone to look to the future with faith. It is true, 'Where God is, there is a future.'" VATICAN CITY, SEPT. 28, 2011

“Pride and egoism impede the recognition and acceptance even of God's most precious gift: his only begotten Son”. Benedict XVI said at the midday Angelus with those gathered in St. Peter's Square.
He reflected on the parable of the unfaithful tenants, to whom a man gave his vineyard to be cultivated to bear fruit and he explained that this Sunday's Gospel closes with Jesus' warning addressed to the chief priests and elders of the people that is particularly severe and make us think of the great responsibility of those who, in every age, are called to work in the vineyard of the Lord, especially with the role of authority; “they move us to complete fidelity to Christ”, he affirmed.
“God has a project for his friends but unfortunately man's answer is often oriented to infidelity, which translates into rejection”, he explained.
He quoted the Servant of God Pope Paul VI, who wrote: "The first benefit which we trust the Church will reap from a deepened self-awareness, is a renewed discovery of its vital bond of union with Christ. This is something which is perfectly well known, but it is supremely important and absolutely essential. It can never be sufficiently understood, meditated upon and preached" ("Ecclesiam Suam," )
The Lord “is always near and working in human history,” he affirmed, “and he also accompanies us with the unique presence of his angels, whom the Church venerates today as "guardians," that is, ministers of the divine care for every man. From the beginning until the hour of death, human life is surrounded by their unceasing protection”.
Today is the feast of the guardian angels
After the Angelus, he addressed pilgrims in different languages and he said, “The Gospel of today's liturgy spurs us to pray for all who work in the Lord's vineyard, especially where they face violence and threats because of their faith. May God grant them, and all of us, strength in our service to him and to one another.   VATICAN CITY, OCT. 2, 2011
On ZENIT's Web page:
Full text: www.zenit.org/article-33579?l=english

Papal prayer intentions for October. The Pope’s general intention is for the terminally ill: "That the terminally ill may be supported by their faith in God and the love of their brothers and sisters."
His mission intention is: "That the celebration of World Mission Day may foster in the People of God a passion for evangelization with the willingness to support the missions with prayer and economic aid for the poorest Churches." VATICAN CITY, SEPT. 30, 2011

Other papal messages and activities