Vatican
City, 14 July 2013 (VIS) - “I have come to spend a day meeting with
the citizens of Castel Gandolfo, with the pilgrims and all the
visitors who justly love this place, who are enchanted by its beauty”,
said Pope Francis to the employees of the Pontifical Villas of the
small town where the popes traditionally spend the summer. The Holy
Father expressed his gratitude to the employees and their families
for the work they carry out in the service of the Holy See.
The
meeting took place on the terrace of the apostolic palace at Castel
Gandolfo and was attended by Bishop Marcello Semeraro of Albano, the
diocese to which Castel Gandolfo belongs, Saverio Petrillo, director
of the Pontifical Villas, and the mayor of Castel Gandolfo, Milvia
Monachesi. The presence of the bishop enabled the Pope to greet with
affection the parish community of Castel Gandolfo and the religious
communities in the area, and he encouraged them to “renew with joy
and enthusiasm the commitment to proclaiming and witnessing the
Gospel”. In his address to the mayor he invited the citizens of
Castel Gandolfo “to be a sign of hope and peace, always attentive
to those people and families most in difficulty”. He added, “This
is important! We must always be a sign of hope and peace at this
time. Open the doors to hope, so that hope might continue to work
towards peace, for ever”.
Pope
Francis then mentioned John Paul II and Benedict XVI, who used to
spend part of the summer there. “Many of you had the opportunity to
meet and welcome them, and conserve dear memories of them. May their
witness always encourage you in your daily fidelity to Christ and in
your continual efforts to lead a life consonant with the demands of
the Gospel and the teachings of the Church”.
Finally,
he entrusted those present to the Virgin Mary, who two days later
would be commemorated as the Virgin of Mount Carmel, beseeching her
to watch over them and their families. “I beg you all to pray for
me too, and for my service”, he added; “I need your prayers”.
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