Apropos words from Pope Benedict

In a recent private audience, copied to the Vatican Information Service with the title "Do Not Lose Hope in the Face of Threatening Clouds", the Holy Father said:

"A new year is beginning and we have many expectations and hopes. Yet we cannot hide the fact that many threatening clouds are gathering on the horizon. We must not, however, lose heart, rather we must keep the flame of hope alive in our hearts. For us as Christians the true hope is Christ, the Father's gift to humanity. ... Only Christ can help us build a world in which justice and love reign"."

Related: John Allen, "The Pope’s Real Message for Obama" (NYT, 12/18/08).