[ELS]

Pope Benedict XVI signs his encyclical "Charity in Truth" at the Vatican July 6, 2009. REUTERS/Osservatore Romano

Nuns react during Pope Benedict XVI's Wednesday general audience in Paul VI hall at the Vatican July 8, 2009. REUTERS/Giampiero Sposito (VATICAN RELIGION)

Pope Benedict XVI listens during his Wednesday general audience in Paul VI hall at the Vatican July 8, 2009. REUTERS/Giampiero Sposito (VATICAN RELIGION)

[ELS]

Weekly audience ping!

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

I don't usually append a caucus label to the title of these general audience threads. However, given the number of open threads about the Holy Father's third encyclical letter, I wanted to have a discussion among those who have a better understanding of Catholic social doctrine, previous papal documents on social doctrine and Benedict XVI's writings. Some of you on this ping list are neither Catholic nor Orthodox, but you appreciate this Pope's writings and I trust that if you are inclined to comment, that your reply will be in a thoughtful and respectful manner.

[newheart]

Ping2self

[Desdemona]

This is definitely NOT one to skim or take out of context. And definitely not one to read without knowing the foundation on which it lays.