“God can win the heart of a person who possesses great wealth and push for solidarity and sharing with those in need.” Those were the Pope’s words this Sunday, before the Angelus prayer, recited at the window of his study in the Apostolic Palace, along with tens of thousands of faithful gathered in St. Peter’s Square.

Commenting on this Sunday’s Gospel and Jesus’ encounter with a rich man, Pope Benedict explained that Christ teaches that for those who have great wealth it is very difficult to enter the kingdom of God, but not impossible. Man is attracted to the fullness of life, but “thinks that he can somehow buy eternal life, perhaps observing some special commandment.” Jesus, notes Pope Benedict.