VATICAN - “To become a saint means to become fully what we are, elevated in Jesus Christ to the dignity of adoptive sons and daughters of God” Pope Benedict XVI recalls on November 1 at the midday Angelus prayer

Vatican City (Fides Service) - The solemnity of All Saints “gives us a taste of the joy of belonging to the great family of the friends of God” Pope Benedict XVI said before reciting the Angelus prayer with people gathered in St Peter’s Square on All Saints Day November 1, (a bank holiday in Italy). The Pope said “To become a saint means to become what we are, elevated in Jesus Christ to the dignity of adoptive sons and daughters of God” … those who believe in Christ, the Son of God are born again ‘from heaven’, generated again by the power of the Holy Spirit. This mystery comes about in the sacrament of Baptism with which Mother Church brings ‘saints’ into the world.”
The feast of All Saints is followed by All Souls Day. “The new life received in Baptism is not subject to corruption or the power of death. For those who live in Christ death is the passing from the earthly pilgrimage to our heavenly homeland where the Father welcomes all his children” the Pope said, recalling the close spiritual bonds which bind the faithful departed and those who are still pilgrims in earth. “A mysterious but real bond nourished by prayer and participation in the sacrament of the Eucharist. In the mystical Body of Christ the souls of the faithful meet overstepping the barrier of death, they pray for each other and in charity realise an intimate, exchange of gifts”.
Lastly Pope Benedict XVI said he was spiritually united with people visiting churchyards to pray for their loved ones and that the next day November 2 he would go to pray in the crypt of St Peter’s where the Popes are buried around the tomb of Holy Peter and that he would say a special pray at the tomb of beloved Pope John Paul II. “Dear Friends - the Holy Father concluded - may the customary visit to the graves of our loved ones be an opportunity for us to think about the mystery of death without fear and to strive to be ever vigilant so we are ready to face it with serenity”. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 3/11/2005; righe 23, parole 343)