During today’s Angelus, Pope Benedict spoke about…Benedict

There is a particular aspect of his spirituality, which today I would particularly like to underline. Benedict did not found a monastic institution oriented primarily to the evangelization of barbarian peoples, as other great missionary monks of the time, but indicated to his followers that the fundamental, and even more, the sole objective of existence is the search for God: "Quaerere Deum."

He knew, however, that when the believer enters into a profound relationship with God he cannot be content with living in a mediocre way, with a minimalist ethic and superficial religiosity. In this light, one understands better the expression that Benedict took from St. Cyprian and that is summarized in his Rule (IV, 21) — the monks’ program of life: "Nihil amori Christi praeponere." "Prefer nothing to the love of Christ."

Holiness consists in this valid proposal for every Christian that has become a true pastoral imperative in our time, in which one perceives the need to anchor life and history in solid spiritual references.

And then, regarding the London bombings:

We all feel profound sorrow for the atrocious terrorist attacks in London last Thursday. Let us pray for the people who were killed, for those who were wounded and for their dear ones. But let us also pray for the attackers: That the Lord will touch their hearts. To all those who foment sentiments of hatred and to all those who carry out such repugnant terrorist attacks, I say: God loves life, which he has created, not death. Stop, In the name of God.