Pope warns of artificial paradises
2007-12-16 22:30
Rome - Pope Benedict XVI warned on Sunday against seeking happiness in drugs or other "artificial paradises" and in the selfish quest for "pleasure at all costs".
Instead, the pope held up Mother Teresa - the Roman Catholic nun who devoted her life to serving the poor in India and elsewhere - as an example.
"Every day she lived next to misery, human degradation and death," the pope told thousands of faithful gathered in St Peter's Square.
"Yet, she offered the smile of God to everybody."
The pope was speaking during the traditional Sunday noon Angelus prayer.
In an annual tradition, children came to St Peter's Square bearing Nativity figures of baby Jesus for the pontiff to bless.
Earlier on Sunday, Benedict consecrated a new church on the outskirts of Rome, blessing the parish's children.
- AP