Acta Benedicti Pp. XVI 445

How eloquent, then, was the choice of theme for the 2009 Special Assem-

bly for Africa of the Synod of Bishops: "The Church in Africa at the Service

of Reconciliation, Justice and Peace". The life-giving message of the Gospel

has brought hope to millions of Africans, helping them to rise above the

sufferings inflicted on them by repressive regimes and fratricidal conflicts.

Similarly, the 2010 Assembly on the Church in the Middle East highlighted

the themes of communion and witness, the oneness of mind and soul that

characterizes those who set out to follow the light of truth. Historic wrongs

and injustices can only be overcome if men and women are inspired by a

message of healing and hope, a message that offers a way forward, out of the

impasse that so often locks people and nations into a vicious circle of vio-

lence. Since 1963, some of the conflicts that seemed insoluble at the time have

passed into history. Let us take heart, then, as we struggle for peace and

justice in the world today, confident that our common pursuit of the divinely

established order, of a world where the dignity of every human person is

accorded the respect that is due, can and will bear fruit.

I commend your deliberations to the maternal guidance of Our Lady,

Queen of Peace. To you, to Bishop Sánchez Sorondo, and to all the partici-

pants in the XVIII Plenary Session, I gladly impart my Apostolic Blessing.

From the Vatican, 27 April 2012.

BENEDICTUS PP. XVI