Spe Salvi (English: "Saved in Hope"), referencing the Latin phrase from Romans 8:24, Spe salvi facti sumus ("in hope we were saved"), is the second encyclical letter by Pope Benedict XVI promulgated on November 30, 2007, and is about the theological virtue of hope. Benedict has systematically touched upon the three theological virtues: love in 2005 Deus caritas est ("God is Love"), hope in this encyclical, and faith in 2013 Lumen fidei ("The Light of Faith"), written with Pope Francis.
The encyclical contains over 18,900 words, divided into fifty paragraphs, and organized into an introduction and eight chapters.
As is customary for papal encylicals, the Latin title of Spe Salvi comes from its incipit, which quotes St. Paul's Epistle to the Romans: "For we are saved by hope. But hope that is seen is not hope. For what a man seeth, why doth he hope for?" In the introduction of the encyclical, Benedict sets the tone of his text by asking about the relationship between hope and redemption.
I’m the bolt that’s coming straight down from the clouds.
Ground me, baby, light the fuse and see what comes around.
Don’t let go of the things you’re holding to.
That might be your last mistake, the voltage’s coming through.
I’m falling down with you next to me, with you next to me.
I’m wasting light; electricity, electricity.
I’m falling down with you next to me, with you next to me.
I’m wasting light; electricity, electricity.
I’m the thunder that gets you off the bed.
Who would you rather be, don’t tell me you’re afraid.
Makes me wonder though, which one would you choose.
Darling, when I see your face I know I did not lose.
Bear with me, but don’t pull me back;
Don’t lose your head, just stay on track;
Infinite realities, clashing down calamities.
Don’t you dare to speak a word, I warned you ‘bout the risk you took.
What’s up there in the sky? Are you dreaming, are you high?
I’m falling down with you next to me, with you next to me.
I’m wasting light; electricity, electricity.
I’m falling down with you next to me, with you next to me.
I’m wasting light; electricity, electricity.
Ta-ta-ta-ta-da-da-da.
Ta-ta-ta-ta-da-da-da.
Ta-ta-ta-ta-da-da-da.