At the conclusion of the Mass for the Solemnity of the Apostles, Saints Peter and Paul last Sunday, the Holy Father, Pope Francis appeared at the window of his study in the Apostolic Palace to lead the recitation of the Angelus with the faithful and with pilgrims who had gathered in Saint Peter's Square.
Dear brothers and sisters, good morning!
From ancient times, the Church of Rome has celebrated the Apostles Peter and Paul in one celebration on the same day, June 29. Faith in Jesus Christ made them brothers and martyrdom has united them. Saint Peter and Saint Paul, so very different from one another on a human level, were chosen personally by the Lord Jesus and responded to His call by offering their entire lives. In both of them, the grace of Christ accomplished great things, indeed even transformed them. And how they were transformed! Simon had denied Jesus at the dramatic moment of his passion; Saul had brutally persecuted Christians. But both of them welcomed the love of God and allowed themselves to be transformed by his mercy; in this way, they became friends and apostles of Christ. So it is that they continue to speak to the Church, indicating the road to salvation even today. We too, should we collapse beneath the weight of the most serious sins and in the darkness of night, can count on the fact that God is always capable of transforming us, as he transformed Peter and Paul; he transforms our hearts and forgives everything, transforming even our darkness of sin into a new dawn of light. God is like this: he transforms, he always forgives, as he did with Peter and as he did with Paul.
The book of the Acts of the Apostles demonstrates many examples of their witness. Peter, for example, teaches us to look with the eyes of faith toward the poor and to give them that which is most precious to us: the power of Jesus' name. This is what he did with the paralytic: he gave him everything that he had, that is Jesus (cf Acts 3:4-6).
Paul is spoken of three times in the episode which recounts his call on the road to Damascus, a moment which represented a major turning point in his life, clearly differentiating between his life before and after its occurrence. Firs, Paul was a bitter enemy of the Church. Afterward, he put all of his existence at the service of the gospel. So it is for us: the encounter with the Word of Christ is capable of completely transforming our lives. It is not possible to hear this word and to remain stubbornly fixed in place, to remain stuck in our old habits. Instead, it pushes us to overcome the temptation to selfishness and to decisively follow the Master who gave his life for his friends. However, it is He who through his word is capable of changing us; it is He who transforms us; it is He who forgives everyone, if we open our hearts and ask for forgiveness.
Dear brothers and sisters, this feast inspires great joy within us because it places us face to face with the work of God's mercy in the hearts of two men. It is the work of Gods' mercy in these two men who were both great sinners. God wants to fill us all with his grace, as he did with Peter and with Paul. May the Virgin Mary help us to welcome this grace with open hearts, to not receive it in vain! May this grace sustain us in times of trial, allowing us to bear witness to Jesus Christ and to his gospel. We ask this grace today particularly for the Metropolitan Archbishops who have been appointed during this past year, who earlier today concelebrated with me the Eucharist in Saint Peter's. We greet them all with affection, together with their faithful and those who are dear to them, and we pray for them all.
Following the recitation of the Angelus, the Holy Father continued:
Dear brothers and sisters,
The news that is coming out of Iraq are unfortunately very painful. I am united with the Bishops of that country in making an appeal to the government that, through dialogue, we may strive for national unity and avoid war. I am close to the thousands of families, especially the Christians who have had to leave their homes and who are in grave danger. Violence begets more violence; dialogue is the only way toward peace. Let us pray to the Madonna, that she may protect the people of Iraq.
Hail Mary ...
I greet all of you, especially the faithful of Rome, on the Feast of the Patron Saints; and also the families and friends of the Metropolitan Archbishops who this morning received the Pallium, as well as the delegations which have accompanied them.
I greet the artists from so many parts of the world who have created a large floral display, and I thank the Pro Loco of Rome for having made this possible. These artists are very talented, congratulations!
I cordially greet the faithful from San Fernando y de Ubrique (Cadiz), from Elche de la Sierra (Albacete), and from Parla, Madrid, as well as the many artisans who participated in creating the wonderful floral display.
I greet the pilgrims who are here from Madagascar, the students from some of the Catholic schools from the United States of America and from London; the faithful from Messina, Napoli, Neviano, Taranto, Rocca di Papa and Pezzoro, and those who have come on bicycles from Cardito; the Friends of Venerable Francesco Antonio Marcucci group.
I greet the Forum of Family Associations from Lazio and I wish you every good wish for the activities of these next days at the Pius XI Institute here in Rome.
Congratulations also to those who have organized the traditional fireworks display that will take place tonight at Castel Sant'Angelo, the proceeds of which will support an initiative for the sake of the children in the Holy Land.
To all of you, I wish a good Sunday, and happy Feast day of your Patron Saints. Please, don't forget to pray for me. Enjoy your lunch. Goodbye.
Greetings of the Holy Father, Pope Francis
prior to the recitation of the Angelus
Dear brothers and sisters, good morning!
From ancient times, the Church of Rome has celebrated the Apostles Peter and Paul in one celebration on the same day, June 29. Faith in Jesus Christ made them brothers and martyrdom has united them. Saint Peter and Saint Paul, so very different from one another on a human level, were chosen personally by the Lord Jesus and responded to His call by offering their entire lives. In both of them, the grace of Christ accomplished great things, indeed even transformed them. And how they were transformed! Simon had denied Jesus at the dramatic moment of his passion; Saul had brutally persecuted Christians. But both of them welcomed the love of God and allowed themselves to be transformed by his mercy; in this way, they became friends and apostles of Christ. So it is that they continue to speak to the Church, indicating the road to salvation even today. We too, should we collapse beneath the weight of the most serious sins and in the darkness of night, can count on the fact that God is always capable of transforming us, as he transformed Peter and Paul; he transforms our hearts and forgives everything, transforming even our darkness of sin into a new dawn of light. God is like this: he transforms, he always forgives, as he did with Peter and as he did with Paul.
The book of the Acts of the Apostles demonstrates many examples of their witness. Peter, for example, teaches us to look with the eyes of faith toward the poor and to give them that which is most precious to us: the power of Jesus' name. This is what he did with the paralytic: he gave him everything that he had, that is Jesus (cf Acts 3:4-6).
Paul is spoken of three times in the episode which recounts his call on the road to Damascus, a moment which represented a major turning point in his life, clearly differentiating between his life before and after its occurrence. Firs, Paul was a bitter enemy of the Church. Afterward, he put all of his existence at the service of the gospel. So it is for us: the encounter with the Word of Christ is capable of completely transforming our lives. It is not possible to hear this word and to remain stubbornly fixed in place, to remain stuck in our old habits. Instead, it pushes us to overcome the temptation to selfishness and to decisively follow the Master who gave his life for his friends. However, it is He who through his word is capable of changing us; it is He who transforms us; it is He who forgives everyone, if we open our hearts and ask for forgiveness.
Dear brothers and sisters, this feast inspires great joy within us because it places us face to face with the work of God's mercy in the hearts of two men. It is the work of Gods' mercy in these two men who were both great sinners. God wants to fill us all with his grace, as he did with Peter and with Paul. May the Virgin Mary help us to welcome this grace with open hearts, to not receive it in vain! May this grace sustain us in times of trial, allowing us to bear witness to Jesus Christ and to his gospel. We ask this grace today particularly for the Metropolitan Archbishops who have been appointed during this past year, who earlier today concelebrated with me the Eucharist in Saint Peter's. We greet them all with affection, together with their faithful and those who are dear to them, and we pray for them all.
Following the recitation of the Angelus, the Holy Father continued:
Dear brothers and sisters,
The news that is coming out of Iraq are unfortunately very painful. I am united with the Bishops of that country in making an appeal to the government that, through dialogue, we may strive for national unity and avoid war. I am close to the thousands of families, especially the Christians who have had to leave their homes and who are in grave danger. Violence begets more violence; dialogue is the only way toward peace. Let us pray to the Madonna, that she may protect the people of Iraq.
Hail Mary ...
I greet all of you, especially the faithful of Rome, on the Feast of the Patron Saints; and also the families and friends of the Metropolitan Archbishops who this morning received the Pallium, as well as the delegations which have accompanied them.
I greet the artists from so many parts of the world who have created a large floral display, and I thank the Pro Loco of Rome for having made this possible. These artists are very talented, congratulations!
I cordially greet the faithful from San Fernando y de Ubrique (Cadiz), from Elche de la Sierra (Albacete), and from Parla, Madrid, as well as the many artisans who participated in creating the wonderful floral display.
I greet the pilgrims who are here from Madagascar, the students from some of the Catholic schools from the United States of America and from London; the faithful from Messina, Napoli, Neviano, Taranto, Rocca di Papa and Pezzoro, and those who have come on bicycles from Cardito; the Friends of Venerable Francesco Antonio Marcucci group.
I greet the Forum of Family Associations from Lazio and I wish you every good wish for the activities of these next days at the Pius XI Institute here in Rome.
Congratulations also to those who have organized the traditional fireworks display that will take place tonight at Castel Sant'Angelo, the proceeds of which will support an initiative for the sake of the children in the Holy Land.
To all of you, I wish a good Sunday, and happy Feast day of your Patron Saints. Please, don't forget to pray for me. Enjoy your lunch. Goodbye.
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