VATICAN - Benedict XVI addresses Metropolitan Archbishops after the consignment of the Pallium: “may the Apostle of the nations assist you in your efforts to help the communities entrusted to your care to be ever more united and missionary, in harmony in coordinated pastoral activity filled with constant apostolic impulse”

Vatican (Agenzia Fides) – On Monday 30 June, in the Paul VI Hall in the Vatican the Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI in a special audience received, with members of their respective families, Metropolitan Bishops from all over the world to whom he had consigned the Pallium the day before on the feast of Saints Peter and Paul. “The image of an organic body applied to the Church - the Pope told the Archbishops - is a dominant and characteristic element of the teaching of St Paul this is why in this Jubilee year dedicated to him I wish to entrust each of you my dear Archbishops to his heavenly protection. may the Apostle of the nations assist you in your efforts to help the communities entrusted to your care to be ever more united and missionary, in harmony in coordinated pastoral activity filled with constant apostolic impulse”.
In various languages the Pope then greeted the individual Archbishops and the people accompanying them, extending his thoughts and prayers to the members of the respective local Churches. Then the Pope encouraged those present to thank God “who never ceases to provide shepherds for his Church to guide her safely on her earthly pilgrimage”. The Pope concluded: “Let us never forget that for ever Shepherd the condition of his service is love for Christ, which must come before everything else... it is this of love for Christ that mission is born: Feed my lambs ' (Jn 21,16.17); mission which consists first of all in witnessing to our Lord and Master: 'Follow me (Jn 21,19). May this be our joy, because it is certainly our cross: sweet and light because it is the cross of love ”. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 1/7/2008)