VATICAN - On Sunday 3 June before leading the recitation of the Angelus prayer, Pope Benedict XVI greeted visitors who had come for the canonisations and he called for “renewed efforts to eliminate the new forms of slavery which afflict humanity”

Vatican City (Fides Service) - On Sunday June 3rd after Mass in St Peter's Square during which he had canonised four new saints, Pope Benedict XVI greeted those who had come from different countries to be present for the great event. He told Sisters of the Assumption from various parts of the world that he hoped that through the intercession of their foundress Saint Marie Eugénie Milleret they would "put on Christ” and draw new courage and hope. To the Assumption Sisters from Spain and South America, Mexico in particular, the Pope said he hoped the new Saint would help them make "Christ and the mystery of his Incarnation" the centre of their spiritual life.
Greeting numerous visitors from Malta, Ireland and Great Britain the Holy Father said: “ I extend cordial greetings to all the English-speaking pilgrims here today on this feast of the Most Holy Trinity, especially those who have come to Rome in such great numbers from Malta, Ireland and Great Britain to be present at today’s canonisation. May these new saints accompany you”. In Maltese the Pope said: “Saint George Preca is the first son of your beloved land to be canonised. After St Paul is your second father in the faith. He intercedes that you may always be friends of the Gospel”.
To Dutch pilgrims the Pope said he hoped that through the intercession of Passionist priest Saint Karel van Sint Andries Houben “the People of God in Holland will always walk in faith, hope and charity”. In Polish he then greeted visitors from Poland invoking the intercession of Saint Szymon of Lipnica, “for those who devote their lives to the service of the sick, the suffering and the abandoned”.
In Italian the Pope mentioned that the “Church in Bologna is making the 750th anniversary of the act with which the Senate of the city abolished slavery in its territory, and he said: “May this initiative give rise to new efforts to eliminate new forms of slavery afflicting humanity”. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 4/6/2007; righe 23, parole 332)