VATICAN - At the Angelus the Pope recalls the martyrdom of Peter and Paul “considered the act of birth of the Church of Rome...their blood fused in a single act of witness to Christ”. Call for peace in the Holy Land

Friday, 30 June 2006

Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - Saint Peter and Saint Paul "apostles of Christ, foundation and pillars of God’s city" as the liturgy sings, were the centre of Pope Benedict XVI’s reflection before the recitation of the midday Angelus prayer on 29 June. The Pope said “Their martyrdom is considered the act of birth of the Church of Rome - the Pope said -. These two Apostles offered supreme witness at a short distance from one another... their blood fused in a single act of witness to Christ”. The Pope quoted Saint Ireneus and then Tertullian, who wrote "How blessed is this Church or Rome! It was the Apostles themselves who with their blood poured out to her the whole doctrine", and he explained: “Precisely for this reason the Bishop of Rome, Successor of Peter, has a special ministry at the service for the doctrinal and pastoral unity of the People of God spread all over the world .”
The Pope then reflected on the ancient liturgical ensign the Pallium which he had just given to the new Archbishop during Mass in St Peter’s. Recalling that the Pallium “expresses the special communion which exists between these Bishops and the Successor of Peter” and urged those present to pray for the Bishops and the people entrusted to their care. The Pope then said “And there is another reason that makes our joy even greater today, the presence in Rome, for the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, of a special delegation sent by Bartholomew I, Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople;" a gesture that expresses "the fraternal bond that exists between our Churches” and he asked those present to invoke the intercession of Mary, Queen of the Apostles that God may grant “the gift of full unity among Christians” and the Church in Rome and the whole people of God may offer the world “witness of unity and courageous dedication to the Gospel of Christ”.
After reciting the Marian prayer the Pope called for peace in the Holy Land: “deeply concerned I watch the events in the Holy Land and pray that all hostages may be returned to their loved ones. I call on the Israeli and Palestinian leaders to strive responsibly, with the generous help of the international community, to reach a negotiated solution which is the only way to guarantee the peace desired by their peoples.” (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 30/6/2006 - righe 28, parole 425)


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