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Pope says he will bring 'Christian hope' to America

By JOHN L. ALLEN JR.
New York

One week ahead of his arrival in the United States, Pope Benedict XVI said today that he is coming to America to bring a message of “Christian hope.”

“I shall come to United States of America as pope for the first time, to proclaim this great truth: Jesus Christ is hope for men and women of every language, race, culture and social condition,” Benedict said.

'What things?'

  On the Road to Peace by John Dear S.J.    Tuesday, April 8, 2008  
       Vol. 2, No. 31  

There they are, two crestfallen disciples after Jesus' horrific torture and execution. Fearful and grief-stricken, they're clearing out of Jerusalem and drifting toward Emmaus, none of which should bring the reader any measure of surprise. But then the story takes a turn. Jesus (his identity veiled) sidles up to the two and asks, "What are you discussing as you walk along?" They stop and turn. "Are you the only person in Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened in these last days?" The risen Jesus then asks one of the most astonishing questions of the Bible: "What things?"