Roberto Benigni waxes pretty eloquently about Jesus and love

Benigni on Monday was addressing a gathering of young people who filled the Verdi Theater in this city of the patron of lovers, St. Valentine.

The meeting was organized Bishop Vincenzo Paglia, who heads the Diocese of Terni-Narni-Amelia, according to the Italian newspaper Avvenire.

For others

Oscar-winner Benigni told his audience that Jesus "has truly stated that he is Love."

Love is for others, "as our happiness depends on their happiness, and this is what Jesus has taught us," explained the actor-director.

Benigni gave young people a piece of advice. "May your steps move at the pace of [Jesus’] steps, fix your gaze in his direction."

During the show, Benigni recited passages of the Song of Songs and addressed a last thought to Mary, quoting one of the verses of Dante from "The Divine Comedy": "O Virgin Mother, daughter of thy Son! Created beings all in lowliness surpassing, as in height above them all; term by the eternal counsel pre-ordain’d."