VATICAN CITY, 26 APR 2009 (VIS) - At the end of this morning's Mass, during which he proclaimed five new saints, the Holy Father prayed the Regina Coeli with faithful gathered in St. Peter's Square.
"I hope that this pilgrimage, lived in sanctity and strengthened by the grace of the Pauline Year, may help each one of you 'to run' with greater joy and energy towards the final 'goal', towards the 'prize that God calls us to receive on high, in Christ Jesus'", he said.
The Pope then went on to refer to the celebration of the Day of the Sacred Heart Catholic University, which falls today. "Fifty years after the death of its founder, Fr. Agostino Gemelli, my hope is that the Catholic University may always remain faithful to the principles that inspired it, in order to continue to offer worthwhile formation to young generations".
As is the tradition following canonisations and beatifications, the Holy Father then greeted those present in various languages. Addressing Portuguese faithful about their newly-canonised countryman Nuno de Santa Maria, he recalled how the saint "provides an important lesson on sacrifice and participation, without which it would be impossible to achieve that fraternal equality characteristic of modern society, which recognises and treats everyone as members of the same family".
Turning then to speak to Polish pilgrims, the Pope recalled how the Week of the Bible is currently being celebrated in their country for the first time, under the patronage of the "Biblical Work" dedicated to John Paul II. "My heartfelt blessing goes to all those people who study the Word of God", he said. "By the intercession of the new saints, I invoke upon everyone the gift of Divine Wisdom".
ANG/NEW SAINTS/... VIS 20090427 (300)
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