VATICAN CITY, NOV. 4, 2001 (Zenit.org).- On All Saints´ Day, John Paul II prayed in silence «for the numerous victims of violence, especially of these recent times,» and, in particular, for those who sacrificed their lives for Christ.
As is the custom, on the eve of All Souls´ Day the Bishop of Rome prayed in the Vatican crypt, before the tombs of his predecessors.
Earlier, at the praying of the Angelus, the Pope said he would go «spiritually on pilgrimage to all the cemeteries of the world, where those rest who preceded us in the sign of faith and await the Day of Resurrection.»
«In particular, I will pray for the eternal repose of the numerous victims of violence, especially of these recent times, and I will also remember, in a special way, all those who sacrificed their lives to remain faithful to Christ to the end,» the Pope explained.
The midday meeting in St. Peter´s Square with several thousand pilgrims gave the Pontiff the opportunity to talk about authentic saints.
«They went against the current,» he said, «accepting the Sermon on the Mount as the inspirational norm of their life: poverty of spirit and simplicity of life; meekness, not violence; repentance for their own sins and expiation for those of others; hunger and thirst for justice; mercy and compassion; purity of heart; commitment to peace; and sacrifice for justice.
«Every Christian is called to holiness, namely, to live the beatitudes. The Church points out, as an example for all, the brothers and sisters who have been outstanding in virtues and instruments of divine grace.»
