HOLY FATHER'S GREETINGS FOLLOWING THE ANGELUS

Vatican City, 11 November 2012 (VIS) - After praying the Angelus, the Pope recalled how yesterday in Spoleto, Italy, Maria Luisa Prosperi, an Italian abbess of the Benedictine convent of Trevi who lived in the nineteenth century, was declared a blessed. "Let us praise God for this His daughter, who chose to dedicate her life to the Passion of Christ", he said.

Going on then to refer to the Day of Thanksgiving, which is being celebrated today in Italy, he observed: "In the context of the Year of Faith, the theme of this Day - 'Trust in the Lord and do good, so you will live in the land' - reminds us of the need for a lifestyle rooted in the faith so that, with a grateful heart, we may recognise the creative and provident hand of God which nourishes His children. My greetings and best wishes to all who work in agriculture".

The Holy Father also had words for Polish pilgrims. "The Feast of Independence which is being celebrated today in Poland, commemorates the faith of your forefathers, your history and the strength of spirit of recent generations. On these foundations build the prosperity of your nation. Today, moreover, I support the prayers which - at the initiative of the Aid to the Church in Need - you are offering for Christians in Egypt on this Day of Solidarity with the Persecuted Church".

Finally, the Pope greeted participants in a congress on Fr. Teilhard de Chardin, which has been held over recent days at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome.