[ELS]

In this photo released by Vatican newspaper L'Osservatore Romano, Pope Benedict XVI receives a soccer jersey with his name on it from unidentified priests and soccer enthusiasts, during the weekly general audience in Paul VI Hall at the Vatican, Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2007. (AP Photo/Osservatore Romano)

Pope Benedict XVI during a general audience in the Paul VI Hall at the Vatican , Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2007. (Daniele Colarieti/CPP)
[If you go to the main page for photos from today's aduience at the Catholic Press Photo site, the captions for the four photos at the bottom of the page say the Cardinal is Maida, but it looks like Egan to me. What say you?]

SS Benedetto XVI - Aula Paolo VI - Udienza Generale - 10/01/2007 - (Copyright L'OSSERVATORE ROMANO - Servizio Fotografico - photo@ossrom.va)

S.S. Benedetto XVI - udienza generale in Aula Paolo VI - (Copyright L'OSSERVATORE ROMANO - Servizio Fotografico - photo@ossrom.va)

S.S. Benedetto XVI - udienza generale in Aula Paolo VI - (Copyright L'OSSERVATORE ROMANO - Servizio Fotografico - photo@ossrom.va)

[ELS]

Weekly audience ping!

Please let me know if you want to be on or off this list.

[Cicero]

Some fascinating ideas in this. In particular, I had never considered that when he was converted and became the Apostle to the Gentiles, St. Paul fulfilled the mission earlier assigned to Stephen, whom he had helped to martyr. An amazing connection.

[Carolina]

But also in our lives the cross, which will never be lacking, becomes a blessing. And, accepting the cross, knowing that it becomes and is a blessing, we learn the joy of the Christian, even in moments of difficulty.

One of my favorite prayers:

We adore Thee, O Christ and we bless Thee, for by the cross Thou hast redeemed the world.

To think that the early Christians and martyrs through the ages gloried in the cross and embraced their martyrdom humbles me. Pray for our persecuted brothers and sisters around the world, especially those in the Underground Church in China.