VATICAN - Pope Benedict XVI at the Angelus on All Saints Day: “At times we might think holiness is a privileged condition reserved for a few elect. In actual fact to become a saint is the task of every Christian, indeed we could say, of every person!”

Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - “The Christian is already holy because baptism unites him with Jesus and with His paschal mystery, but at the same time he must strive to be a saint by becoming more and more like Him. At times we might think holiness is a privileged condition reserved for a few elect. In actual fact to become a saint is the task of every Christian, indeed we could say, of every person!” Pope Benedict XVI said this before leading the recitation of the midday Angelus prayer with the people gathered in St Peter's Square on November 1 All Saints Day. The Pope recalled that in the early Christian times members of the Church were referred to "the saints", and he cited St Paul who affirms that from all time God blessed us and chose us in Christ "to be holy and immaculate before Him in charity " (Ep 1,3-4). “Therefore all human persons are called to holiness- the Holy Father continued - which, in the final analysis, consists in living as true children of God, , in His "likeness" as we were created. All human beings are children of God and they all must become what they are, along the demanding path of freedom. God invites all men and women to be part of His holy people”.
Benedict XVI the underlined that All Saints is followed immediately by All Souls: “Besides praising God and venerating the blessed spirits who the liturgy presents to us today as "a huge number, impossible for anyone to count, of people from every nation, race, tribe and language" (Rev 7,9), we pray for the repose of the souls of those who have gone before us passing from this world to eternal life … Actually the Church calls us every day to pray for them, offering also our daily sufferings and fatigue, so that, completely purified, they may be admitted to enjoy the eternal light and peace of the Lord.” The Pope concluded entrusting to the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary resplendent “at the centre of the assembly of the Saints”, our striving for holiness, our daily commitment and our loved ones who are dead.
After the Marian prayer the Pope greeted visitors in various languages, in English he said: " I greet all the English-speaking pilgrims and visitors present at today’s Angelus. The Solemnity of All Saints calls us to deepen our communion with the great figures of the Church who radiate the splendour of God’s kingdom of truth and love. May we strive to imitate their heroic virtues and follow their example along the path of perfection. I wish you and your families a happy feast day. May God bless you all!” (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 3/11/2007 - righe 28, parole 435)