Pope Warns of Technology Without God

Pope Benedict XVI, carrying a tall, lit candle, ushered in Christianity's most joyous celebration with an Easter vigil service tonight, but voiced fears that mankind is groping in darkness, unable to distinguish good from evil. "Life is stronger than death," he said. "Good is stronger than evil. Love is stronger than hate." However, he added, "The darkness enshrouding God and obscuring values is the real threat to our existence and to the world in general."

"If God and moral values, the difference between good and evil, remain in darkness, then all other 'lights,' that put such incredible technical feats within our reach, are not only progress but also dangers that put us and the world at risk," said Benedict. "Our knowledge and our technical accomplishments are legion, but what reaches beyond, the things of God and the question of good, we can no longer identify." Tomorrow morning, Benedict will lead Easter Mass in St. Peter's Square, then deliver a speech from the central balcony of the basilica. (More Pope Benedict XVI stories.)