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On St. Matthew "A Model of Acceptance of God's Mercy" VATICAN CITY, AUG. 30, 2006 (Zenit.org).- Here is a translation of the address Benedict XVI gave at today's general audience, held in Paul VI Hall, which he dedicated to the figure of St. Matthew. * * * Dear Brothers and Sisters: Continuing with the series of portraits of the Twelve Apostles, which we began a few weeks ago, today we reflect on Matthew. To tell the truth, it is almost impossible to delineate his figure completely, as information on him is scarce and incomplete. What we can do is sketch...

Profile of St. Peter "Occasionally Naive and Fearful, Yet Honest and Capable of Repentance" VATICAN CITY, MAY 17, 2006 (Zenit.org).- Here is a translation of the address Benedict XVI gave at today's general audience, which he dedicated to the spiritual journey of "Peter the fisherman." * * * Dear Brothers and Sisters: In the new series of catecheses we have tried to understand above all what the Church is, what the Lord's idea is about this new family. Then we said that the Church exists in people, and we have seen that the Lord entrusted this new reality, the Church,...

Commentary on Psalm 144(145) "The Lord ... Concerned About All His Creatures" VATICAN CITY, FEB. 1, 2006 (Zenit.org).- Here is a translation of the address Benedict XVI gave at today's general audience, which he dedicated to reflect on Psalm 144(145):1-13. * * * Dear Brothers and Sisters: 1. We have raised the prayer of Psalm 144(145), a joyous praise to the Lord who is exalted as loving and tender king, concerned about all his creatures. The liturgy presents this hymn to us in two different moments, which correspond also to the two poetic and spiritual movements of the same psalm....