The president of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications Archbishop Claudio Maria Celli presented Salt + Light Television CEO Fr. Thomas Rosica, CSB, to Pope Benedict XVI on Thursday, October 29th. A consultor to the Pontifical Council for Social Communications, Fr. Rosica was among those in attendance at the Apostolic Palace for an address by the Holy Father to the plenary assembly of the of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications. Here is the Pontiff's address to to the assembly:

Cardinals,

Venerated Brothers in the Episcopate and in the Priesthood.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

With great joy I give you my most cordial welcome on the occasion of the plenary assembly of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications. First of all, I wish to express my gratitude to Archbishop Claudio Maria Celli, president of your pontifical council, for the courteous words he addressed to me on your behalf. I extend my greeting to his collaborators and those of you here present, thanking you for the contribution you offer to the working sessions of the plenary assembly and the service you offer the Church in the field of social communications.

These days you have paused to reflect on the new technologies of communication. Even a not very attentive observer can easily see that in our time, thanks to the most modern technologies, a genuine revolution is taking place in the realm of social communications, of which the Church is ever more responsibly conscious. These technologies make possible a speedy and penetrating communication, with a capacity to share ideas and opinions; to facilitate acquiring information and news in a personal way accessible to all.

Read the full address