At the conclusion of the celebration of Mass for the Solemnity of the Holy Apostles, Peter and Paul, the Holy Father, Pope Francis appeared at the window of his study in the Vatican Apostolic Palace and led the recitation of the Angelus, along with the faithful and with pilgrims who had gathered in Saint Peter's Square. Before reciting the prayer, the Holy Father greeted the pilgrims.
Dear brothers and sisters!
Today, June 29, is the solemn feast of Saints Peter and Paul. It is a special day of celebration for the Church of Rome, founded on the martyrdom of these two Apostles. Today is also a great day of celebration for the universal Church because all the People of God are indebted to these two Apostles for the gift of faith. Peter was the first to confess that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. Paul spread this news throughout the Greco-Roman world, and Providence ordained that the two should meet here in Rome, and that they should spill their blood here for the faith. Because of this, the Church of Rome spontaneously, suddenly became the point of reference for the entire Church throughout the world. This was not because of the strength of the Emperor, but because of the strength of martyrdom, because of the testimony given to Christ! In truth, it is always and only the love of Christ that gives birth to faith and that sends the Church forward.
Let us think of Peter. When he confessed his faith in Jesus, he didn't do so based on his human ability, but because he was overcome by the grace that Jesus eminated, the love that he felt through his words and saw in his gestures: Jesus was the personification of the love of God!
And the same can be said of Paul, although it came about in a different way. As a young man, Paul had been an enemy of the Christians, but when the Risen Lord called him on the road to Damascus, his life was transformed: he understood that Jesus was not dead, but alive, and even he was loved by Him, though he had been his enemy! This is the ultimate experience of mercy and of the forgiveness of God in Jesus Christ: this is the Good News, the Gospel that Peter and Paul had experienced for themselves, and for which they gave their lives. Mercy, forgiveness! The Lord always forgives, the Lord is always merciful. He has a merciful heart, and is always waiting for us.
Dear brothers and sisters, what a joy to believe in a God who is all love, all grace! This is the faith that Peter and Paul received from Christ and handed on to the Church. Let us praise the Lord for these two glorious witnesses, and like them, may we allow ourselves to be conquered by Christ, by the mercy of Christ!
Let us also remember that Simon Peter had a brother, Andrew, who shared with him the experience of faith in Jesus. In fact, Andrew met Jesus before Peter did, and immediately he told his brother about Jesus, and brought him to meet him. I am happy to recall this truth today because visiting in Rome today, according to a beautiful tradition, is a delegation from the Patriarchate of Constantinople which has the Apostle Andrew as its patron. Together, we send our cordial greetings to Patriarch Bartholomew I; we pray for him and for the Church. I would like to invite you to pray together now, one Hail Mary for Patriarch Bartholomew I. All together now: Hail Mary, ....
Let us also pray for the Metropolitan Archbishops from various Churches throughout the world, to whom, just a little while ago, I entrusted the pallium, a sign of communion and unity.
May our beloved Mother, the Blessed Virgin Mary accompany and support us all.
After the recitation of the Angelus, the Holy Father continued:
Dear brothers and sisters,
I joyfully greet the pilgrims who have come from various countries to celebrate today with your Metropolitan Archbishops. I pray for all their communities; in particular, I wish to encourage the people of central Africa, who endure many trials in order to walk in faith and hope.
I affectionately greet you all: relatives, faithful members from many parishes and associations, particularly those from the Diocese of Iglesias, from the city of Aragona and from Casale Popolo.
Happy Feast Day to all of you. Enjoy your lunch. Goodbye!
Greetings of the Holy Father, Pope Francis
before the recitation of the Angelus
Dear brothers and sisters!
Today, June 29, is the solemn feast of Saints Peter and Paul. It is a special day of celebration for the Church of Rome, founded on the martyrdom of these two Apostles. Today is also a great day of celebration for the universal Church because all the People of God are indebted to these two Apostles for the gift of faith. Peter was the first to confess that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. Paul spread this news throughout the Greco-Roman world, and Providence ordained that the two should meet here in Rome, and that they should spill their blood here for the faith. Because of this, the Church of Rome spontaneously, suddenly became the point of reference for the entire Church throughout the world. This was not because of the strength of the Emperor, but because of the strength of martyrdom, because of the testimony given to Christ! In truth, it is always and only the love of Christ that gives birth to faith and that sends the Church forward.
Let us think of Peter. When he confessed his faith in Jesus, he didn't do so based on his human ability, but because he was overcome by the grace that Jesus eminated, the love that he felt through his words and saw in his gestures: Jesus was the personification of the love of God!
And the same can be said of Paul, although it came about in a different way. As a young man, Paul had been an enemy of the Christians, but when the Risen Lord called him on the road to Damascus, his life was transformed: he understood that Jesus was not dead, but alive, and even he was loved by Him, though he had been his enemy! This is the ultimate experience of mercy and of the forgiveness of God in Jesus Christ: this is the Good News, the Gospel that Peter and Paul had experienced for themselves, and for which they gave their lives. Mercy, forgiveness! The Lord always forgives, the Lord is always merciful. He has a merciful heart, and is always waiting for us.
Dear brothers and sisters, what a joy to believe in a God who is all love, all grace! This is the faith that Peter and Paul received from Christ and handed on to the Church. Let us praise the Lord for these two glorious witnesses, and like them, may we allow ourselves to be conquered by Christ, by the mercy of Christ!
Let us also remember that Simon Peter had a brother, Andrew, who shared with him the experience of faith in Jesus. In fact, Andrew met Jesus before Peter did, and immediately he told his brother about Jesus, and brought him to meet him. I am happy to recall this truth today because visiting in Rome today, according to a beautiful tradition, is a delegation from the Patriarchate of Constantinople which has the Apostle Andrew as its patron. Together, we send our cordial greetings to Patriarch Bartholomew I; we pray for him and for the Church. I would like to invite you to pray together now, one Hail Mary for Patriarch Bartholomew I. All together now: Hail Mary, ....
Let us also pray for the Metropolitan Archbishops from various Churches throughout the world, to whom, just a little while ago, I entrusted the pallium, a sign of communion and unity.
May our beloved Mother, the Blessed Virgin Mary accompany and support us all.
After the recitation of the Angelus, the Holy Father continued:
Dear brothers and sisters,
I joyfully greet the pilgrims who have come from various countries to celebrate today with your Metropolitan Archbishops. I pray for all their communities; in particular, I wish to encourage the people of central Africa, who endure many trials in order to walk in faith and hope.
I affectionately greet you all: relatives, faithful members from many parishes and associations, particularly those from the Diocese of Iglesias, from the city of Aragona and from Casale Popolo.
Happy Feast Day to all of you. Enjoy your lunch. Goodbye!
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