The Pope's homily for 15 April 2007

Open Book links to "Teresa Benedetto's translation of the Pope's homily this morning, at the Mass in honor of his 80th birthday."

(His birthday is tomorrow.)

Pope Benedict XVI is framed through a salute by a Vatican Swiss guard as he arrives in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Sunday, April 15, 2007. Benedict XVI celebrated his 80th birthday a day early with a Mass in his honor Sunday on the flower-bedecked steps of St. Peter's Square, giving thanks for his long life and the support of the Church. (AP Photo/Pier Paolo Cito)

Pope Benedict XVI is framed between two unidentified cardinals as he arrives in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Sunday, April 15, 2007. Benedict XVI celebrated his 80th birthday a day early with a Mass in his honor Sunday on the flower-bedecked steps of St. Peter's Square, giving thanks for his long life and the support of the Church. (AP Photo/Pier Paolo Cito)

Clerics look at Pope Benedict XVI as he arrives in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Sunday, April 15, 2007. Benedict XVI celebrated his 80th birthday a day early with a Mass in his honor Sunday on the flower-bedecked steps of St. Peter's Square, giving thanks for his long life and the support of the Church. (AP Photo/Pier Paolo Cito)

Pope Benedict XVI arrives to lead a birthday mass in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican April 15, 2007. Pope Benedict begins a week of celebrations for his 80th birthday and the second anniversary of his election as pontiff. (Alessandro Bianchi/Reuters)

Pope Benedict XVI blesses the faithful, who are wearing traditional Bavarian clothing, during his birthday mass in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican April 15, 2007. (Alessandro Bianchi/Reuters)

Pope Benedict XVI blesses the faithfulls gathered in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, 15 April 2007. The Pope marked his 80th birthday Sunday with a mass before thousands of worshippers in which he spoke of "darkness" threatening the world in the form of war, oppression and hate.(AFP/File/Filippo Monteforte)

Pope Benedict XVI, accompanied by his personal aide Rev. Georg Gaenswein, seated behind him, greets the crowd as he is driven through St. Peter's Square after celebrating his birthday Mass at the Vatican, Sunday, April 15, 2007. Benedict XVI celebrated his 80th birthday a day early with a Mass in his honor Sunday on the flower-bedecked steps of St. Peter's Square, giving thanks for his long life and the support of the Church. Writing on placard at left reads in German: 'Bavarian Pilgrimage Office' and on small flags: 'Greet God'. (AP Photo/Pier Paolo Cito)
Pope Benedict XVI blesses Edmund Stoibe (R), premier of the state of Bavaria in Germany, at the end of his birthday mass in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican April 15, 2007. REUTERS/Alessandro Bianchi (VATICAN)

A giant birthday banner is seen in the background as Pope Benedict XVI is driven through the crowd at the end of his birthday Mass in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Sunday, April 15, 2007. Benedict XVI celebrated his 80th birthday a day early with a Mass in his honor Sunday on the flower-bedecked steps of St. Peter's Square, giving thanks for his long life and the support of the Church. (AP Photo/Angelo Carconi)