Pope Blesses Audience In Arabic For First Time - Spokane, North Idaho News & Weather KHQ.com

Pope Blesses Audience In Arabic For First Time

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KHQ.COM: Pope Benedict XVI pronounced a blessing over Saint Peter's Square on Wednesday in Arabic. It is the first time the language has been used in such an event.

In the week of the 50th anniversary of the Second Vatican Council, Pope Benedict XVI addressed the crowd of over 20,000 gathered in Saint Peter's Square with a blessing. This time, however, things were a bit different. For the first time ever, the pope addressed his audience in Arabic. He proclaimed "the pope prays for all Arabic speakers. May God bless you all."

The pope, then Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, took place in the Second Vatican Council and has always been a strong supporter of the 15 "constitutions" adopted by the Council. He said that the council has served as a "compass in the middle of storms" for the Catholic Church. He will launch the church's "Year of Faith" with a mass in Saint Peter's Square on Thursday, the exact anniversary of the start of the Council.