Pope's Intentions
Respect for Nature
That respect for nature may grow with the awareness that all creation is God's work entrusted to human responsibility.
Clergy
That bishops, priests, and deacons may be tireless messengers of the Gospel to the ends of the earth.
The throne of the cross
“The people who sit in darkness have seen a great light; upon those who dwell in the land of gloom a light has shone” (Is 9,1), the light of redemption. When they saw that the tyrant, death, was wounded to death, this people came out from darkness to light; from death they passed to life.
The wood of the cross bears him who made the universe. Undergoing death for my life, he who bears the universe is fastened to the tree as one dead. He who breathes life into the dead gives up the spirit on the tree. The cross brings no shame to him at all but, like a trophy, confirms his complete victory. Like a just judge he is seated on the throne of the cross. The crown of thorns he wears on his brow confirms his victory: “Take courage, I have conquered the world and the prince of this world by taking away the sin of this world” (Jn 16,33; 1,29).
That the cross stands for victory, the stones themselves cry out (cf Lk 19,40), those stones of Calvary where Adam, our forefather, was buried according to an old tradition held by our fathers. “Adam, where are you?” (Gn 3,9), Christ cries out again from the cross. “I am seeking for you there and, that I might find you, I stretched out my hands on the cross. I turn my outstretched hands to the Father in thanksgiving for having found you, then I turn them also to you to welcome you. I have not come to judge your sin but to save you out of my love for humankind (cf Jn 3,17). I have not come to curse you for your disobedience but to bless you by my obedience. I will shelter you with my wings, you will find refuge in my shade; my faithfulness will cover you with the shield of the cross and you will no more fear the terror of the night (cf Ps 91[90],1-5) because you will know day without setting (Wsd 7,10). I will seek out your life, concealed in darkness and the shadow of death (Lk 1,79). I will take no rest until, humbled and having descended even to hell to search for you, I have led you back to heaven.”