The New Evangelization was the focus of Pope Benedict XVI’s remarks to the bishops of New Zealand and the Pacific today, as he received them at the end of their ad limina visits. Below is the full text of the Holy Father's remarks, followed by our audio report. Dear Brother Bishops and Priests, I am pleased to offer you a warm fraternal welcome on the occasion of your visit ad Limina Apostolorum. This gathering is a tangible sign of our communion in faith and charity in the one Church of Christ. I wish to thank Archbishop Dew and Bishop Mafi for the kind words offered on your behalf. My cordial greetings go to the priests, the men and women religious, and those entrusted to your pastoral care. Please assure them of my prayers for their growth in holiness and of my affection for them in the Lord. With gratitude to Almighty God, I note from your reports the many blessings which the Lord has bestowed upon your Jurisdictions. I am also aware of the challenges to the Christian life which are common to all of you, in spite of the many social, economic and cultural contexts in which you work. You have mentioned in particular the challenge set before you by the secularism characteristic of your societies, a reality that has a significant impact on the understanding and practice of the Catholic faith. This is seen specifically in a weakened appreciation for the sacred nature of Christian marriage and the stability of the family. In such a context, the struggle to lead a life worthy of the our baptismal calling (cf. Eph. 4:1) and to abstain from the earthly passions which wage war against ours souls (cf. 1 Pet 2:11) becomes ever more challenging. Yet we know that, ultimately, Christian faith provides a surer basis for life than the secular vision; for “it is only in the mystery of the Word made flesh that the mystery of humanity truly becomes clear” (Gaudium et Spes, 22). Thus, the Pontifical Council for Promoting the New Evangelization was recently established. Since the Christian faith is founded on the Word made flesh, Jesus Christ, the new evangelization is not an abstract concept but a renewal of authentic Christian living based on the teachings of the Church. You, as Bishops and Pastors, are called to be protagonists in formulating this response according to local needs and circumstances in your various countries and among your peoples. By strengthening the visible bonds of ecclesial communion, build among yourselves an ever stronger sense of faith and charity, so that those whom you serve, in their turn, may imitate your charity and be ambassadors of Christ both in the Church and in the civil arena. As you face this historic challenge, you must do so under the guiding presence of the Holy Spirit, who also calls forth, consecrates and sends priests as “co-workers of the Order of Bishops, with whom they are joined in the priestly office and with whom they are called to the service of the people of God” (Rite of Ordination of Priests). Dear Brother Bishops, I encourage you to have a special care for your priests. As you know, one of your first pastoral duties is to your priests and to their sanctification, especially those who are experiencing difficulties and those who have little contact with their brother priests. Be a father who guides them on the path to holiness, so that their lives may also attract others to follow Christ. We know that good, wise and holy priests are the best promoters of vocations to the priesthood. With the confidence that comes from faith, we can say that the Lord is still calling men to the priesthood, and you are aware that encouraging them to consider dedicating their lives fully to Christ is among your top priorities. In our day young people need more assistance with spiritual discernment so that they may know the Lord’s will. In a world affected by a “profound crisis of faith” (Porta Fidei, 2), ensure too that your seminarians receive a well-rounded formation that will prepare them to serve the Lord and love his flock according to the heart of the Good Shepherd. In this context, I wish to acknowledge the significant contribution to the spread of the Gospel made by the men and women religious present throughout your region, including those active in pastoral, catechetical, and educational fields. Together with those living a contemplative life, may they remain faithful to the charisms of their founders, which are always united with the life and discipline of the entire Church, and may their witness to God continue to be a beacon that points towards a life of faith, love and right living. Likewise, the lay faithful’s role in the well-being of the Church is essential since the Lord does not expect pastors “to undertake by themselves the entire saving mission of the Church” (Lumen Gentium, 30). I understand from your reports that your task of spreading the Gospel often depends on the assistance of lay missionaries and catechists. Continue to ensure that a sound and ongoing formation be afforded them, especially within the context of their associations. In so doing, you will equip them for every good work in the building up of the body of Christ (cf. 2 Tim 3:17; Eph 4:12). Their zeal for the faith under your continued leadership and support will surely bear much fruit in the vineyard of the Lord. My dear Brother Bishops and Priests, as I have had this opportunity to discuss with you the New Evangelization, I do so mindful of the recently proclaimed Year of Faith, which “is intended to give a fresh impetus to the mission of the whole Church to lead human beings out of the wilderness in which they find themselves” (Homily, 16 October 2011). May this privileged time serve as an inspiration as you join the entire Church in the ongoing efforts of the New Evangelization, for although you are spread among many islands and we are separated by great distances, together we profess “one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of us all” (Eph 4:5-6). May you continue to be united among yourselves and with the Successor of Peter. Commending you to the intercession of Our Lady, Star of the Sea, and assuring you of my affection and prayers for you and for those entrusted to your pastoral care, I willingly impart my Apostolic Blessing. Listen to our report 00:02:09:14

The funeral of Cardinal John P. Foley takes place in the Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul in Philadelphia on Friday, after which his body will be laid to rest in the cathedral crypt. The principle celebrant at the funeral Mass is the Cardinal's successor as head of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem, Archbishop Edwin O'Brien, while the Archbishop of New York and President of the US Catholic Bishops' Conference, Timothy Dolan is giving the homily. Cardinal Foley died last Sunday after a long battle with cancer. Also attending the funeral in Philadephia is Archbishop Claudio Celli, current president of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications where John Foley served for over two decades. Just before leaving for the United States, Archbishop Celli spoke with Philippa Hitchen about the legacy the Cardinal leaves behind to the world of Catholic communications.... Listen: 00:05:38:74

"Educating young people in Justice and Peace" is the theme of Pope Benedict’s message for the 2012 World Peace Day, released by the Vatican on Friday. The message, addressed to parents, educators and political leaders, as well as to young people themselves, outlines a holistic vision of education as an inter-generational pursuit of truth and freedom. But it also contains a call to action to hear the anxieties of young men and women today and respond to them with generosity, providing practical support for families and employment opportunities. Noting the rising sense of frustration within many societies at the growing economic crisis, the Pope says young people, with their enthusiasm and idealism, can offer new hope to our world. It is essential, he says, that their idealism, as well as their anxieties, receive due attention at every level of society. Each one of us, he adds, has the task of communicating to the next generation, an appreciation for the positive values of life. The World Peace Day message is published each year by the Pontifical Justice and Peace Council. Following a press conference on Friday, Philippa Hitchen asked the president of the Council, Cardinal Peter Turkson about the decision to focus on young people for this year’s message. Listen to the interview: 00:06:20:93 Read Vatican Radio's summary of the World Peace Day Message: The Message, on EDUCATING YOUNG PEOPLE IN JUSTICE AND PEACE, is addressed especially to parents, families and all those involved in the area of education and formation, as well as to leaders in the various spheres of religious, social, political, economic and cultural life and in the media. The Message begins with an introductory paragraph (1) and is organized into 4 subsequent paragraphs (2-6), each of which has its own heading: (2) Educators; (3) Educating in truth and freedom; (4) Educating in justice; (5) Educating in peace; (6) Lifting one’s eyes to God. The main points of the Message are: 1. Education is both a right (universal and unqualified with respect to persons’ sex, religion or social standing), and a duty (of parents, of societies and of those who receive education). • Real, authentic education is “education in truth and freedom”, the source of which is God. This includes, essentially, education in the right use of freedom, which is, “central to the promotion of justice and peace, which require respect for oneself and others, including those whose way of being and living differs greatly from one’s own. (Para 3: Educating in truth and freedom)” • Parents are the first educators: the family is the “first school” of education in justice and peace. (Para 2: Educators). Those in charge of educational institutions have a duty to ensure that children are able to receive an education consonant with their families’ consciences and principles. (ibid.) • Political leaders must work to guarantee access to education, to support families and institutions in the mission of education, and to ensure that families be able to choose the educational structures they consider most suitable for their children. (ibid.) 2. Justice is neither merely, nor even primarily a human convention: what is just is ultimately determined by the truth of the human being – it is the integral vision of man that saves us from falling into a contractual conception of justice and enables us to locate justice within the horizon of solidarity and love. (Para 4: Educating in justice) 3. Peace is both divine gift and human task/responsibility: • “We Christians believe that Christ is our true peace: in him, by his Cross, God has reconciled the world to himself and has broken down the walls of division that separated us from one another (cf. Eph 2:14-18); in him, there is but one family, reconciled in love.” (Para 5: Educating in peace) • “In order to be true peacemakers, we must educate ourselves in compassion, solidarity, working together, fraternity, to being active within the community and concerned to raise awareness about national and international issues and the importance of seeking adequate mechanisms for redistribution of wealth, the promotion of growth, cooperation for development and conflict resolution.” (ibid.) • “Peace for all is the fruit of justice for all, and no one can shirk this essential task of promoting justice, according to one’s particular areas of competence and responsibility.” (ibid.) The Message also contains, at the end of Para 2 (addressed to educators), appeals to the world of the media, and to young people themselves. • To media: “In today’s society the mass media have a particular role: they not only inform but also form the minds of their audiences, and so they can make a significant contribution to the education of young people. It is important never to forget that the connection between education and communication is extremely close: education takes place through communication, which influences, for better or worse, the formation of the person.” • To young people: “Young people too need to have the courage to live by the same high standards that they set for others. Theirs is a great responsibility: may find the strength to make good and wise use of their freedom. They too are responsible for their education, including their education to justice and peace!” The Message concludes with an exhortation under the heading: Raising one’s eyes to God, in which Pope Benedict calls on everyone, and young people especially, not to give in to discouragement, nor to seek easy solutions to difficult problems. “Do not be afraid to make a commitment, to face hard work and sacrifice, to choose the paths that demand fidelity and constancy, humility and dedication. Be confident in your youth and its profound desires for happiness, truth, beauty and genuine love! Live fully this time in your life so rich and so full of enthusiasm.” (Para 6: Raising one’s eyes to God)

'There's More in the Sunday Gospel than Meets the Eye '- Jill Bevilacqua's weekly reflection Joan Knows - The Vatican week in review with EWTN bureau chief , Joan Lewis Listen : 00:28:58:97

ALL THE LONELY PEOPLE: Christmas is a traditionally a time for getting together with our families but let’s spare a thought for the plight of the surprisingly large number of lonely people who have nobody with whom to spend the festive season…. ABANDONED BABIES: Christmas is when we celebrate the birth of the infant Jesus but not all babies are welcomed and cherished in the same way and we shine the spotlight on why desperate mothers are sometimes driven to abandon their newborn child..... Listen: 00:28:57:38

When Pope Benedict XVI visits the inmates of the Roman prison of Rebibbia on Sunday he'll be following in the footsteps of his predecessors to the See of Peter, among whom Blessed John XXIII. It was Christmas 1958 . Veronica Scarisbrick steps back in time to that moving moment, by bringing you the voice of prisoners as they cheer and drown out the voice of John XXIII standing in their midst offering them words of comfort:" ...when you write home, he said, be sure to tell your families the pope has been to see you. You couldn't come to see me so I came to see you.." The novelty of this event made headlines but it wasn't just because this marked the first time a Roman Pontiff visited a prison , it was more his manner with the prisoners that struck home: " I know it's tough", he said on this occasion, " ... one of my own cousins ended up here too." Listen to this programme in which we bring you exclusive sound of Pope John's voice speaking to prisoners as well as the personal testimonies of some of those who witnessed this moving event, viewed by many as an act of restoration of some of the pastoral dimensions of the papacy. A programme produced by Veronica Scarisbrick . Listen : 00:10:49:56

Remembering Cardinal Foley - When Cardinal John Patrick Foley shared with us his personal memories of the Second Vatican Council . Christmas tree in St Peter's Square - We speak to Architect Barbara Bellano of the Technical Department of the Vatican's governing body. Christmas 1958 - A Roman Pontiff makes history by crossing the threshold of a Roman prison . Angelus ad Virginem - Musical notes for the Sunday before Christmas with Monsignor Philip Whitmore . Listen: 00:28:58:22

There is an ecumenical slant then this year to this tradition of installing a Christmas tree in Saint Peter's Square. One first introduced in 1982 by Pope John Paul II. In an effort to find out more about this tree Veronica Scarisbrick spoke to Architect Barbara Bellano of the technical department of the Vatican's governing Body. Listen: 00:03:31:56

Pope Benedict XVI prayed Solemn Vespers with Rome’s university students yesterday evening in St Peter’s Basilica. In his homily, the Holy Father spoke of the Christian duty to seek the truth wait with steadfast hope and vigilance, saying, “To seek the face of God is our deepest aspiration, and it is also the answer to the basic question, which is ever more clearly present in and to contemporary society.” The Advent celebration of Vespers with the students of Rome’s institutions of higher learning has become an annual tradition. Listen 00:01:40:73

As preparations are underway for Pope Benedict XVI’s upcoming trip to Cuba and Mexico, cooperation between the Organization of American States and the Holy See in promoting human rights was the subject of a panel discussion on Tuesday of this week, sponsored by the US Embassy to the Holy See here in Rome. Alessandro Gisotti attended the conference, and spoke with the US Ambassador to the Organization of American States, Carmen Lomellin, who was one of the participants in the event. Listen 00:02:37:90