In his Lenten message for 2008, Pope Benedict XVI focuses on assisting the poor. The theme he chose is: "Christ made himself poor for you".

Recalling the specific Lenten tasks proposed by the Church -- prayer, fasting and almsgiving – the Pope dedicates his message this Lent to a reflection on giving alms – "a specific way to assist those in need and, at the same time, an exercise in self-denial to free us from attachment to worldly goods".

"The force of attraction to material riches and just how categorical our decision must be not to make of them an idol, Jesus confirms in a resolute way: 'You cannot serve God and mammon'," the Pontiff noted. "Almsgiving helps us to overcome this constant temptation, teaching us to respond to our neighbor's needs and to share with others whatever we possess through divine goodness.

"This is the aim of the special collections in favor of the poor, which are promoted during Lent in many parts of the world. In this way, inward cleansing is accompanied by a gesture of ecclesial communion, mirroring what already took place in the early Church."

Benedict XVI considered the benefits of almsgiving for the one who gives. He said: "In inviting us to consider almsgiving with a more profound gaze that transcends the purely material dimension, Scripture teaches us that there is more joy in giving than in receiving. When we do things out of love, we express the truth of our being; indeed, we have been created not for ourselves but for God and our brothers and sisters.

"Every time when, for love of God, we share our goods with our neighbor in need, we discover that the fullness of life comes from love and all is returned to us as a blessing in the form of peace, inner satisfaction and joy. Our Father in heaven rewards our almsgiving with his joy."