The Pope expressed this intention today after praying the midday Regina Caeli with those gathered in St. Peter’s Square.
«I am happy to recall that tomorrow in Dresden, Germany, Alois Andritzki, priest and martyr, who was killed by the National Socialists in 1943 at the age of 28, will be proclaimed blessed,» he said.
The Holy Father continued: «Let us praise the Lord for this heroic witness of the faith, who joins the ranks of those who gave their lives in the name of Christ in the concentration camps.
«This day of Pentecost I would like to entrust to their intercession the cause of peace in the world.»
The Pontiff asked that the Holy Spirit would «inspire courageous proposals for peace and support the effort to advance it, that dialogue might prevail over arms and respect for man’s dignity overcome party interests.»
«May the Spirit, who is the bond of communion, rectify hearts twisted by egoism and help the human family to rediscover and carefully safeguard its fundamental unity,» he prayed.
Father Alois Andritzki was arrested and assassinated by lethal injection for his opposition to the Nazi regime and for his work with youth.
