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At the conclusion of this Eucharist dedicated to the Gospel of Life, I am happy to recall that yesterday at Carpi Odoardo Focherini was proclaimed blessed. He was a husband and father of 6 children and a journalist. He was captured and imprisoned because of hatred of his Catholic faith and died in a concentration camp in Hersbruck in 1944 when he was 37. He saved many Jews from Nazi persecution. Together with Church in Carpi, we thank God for this witness to the Gospel of Life! From my heart I thank all of you who have come from Rome and many parts of Italy and the world, especially the families and those who work directly for the protection of life.
I cordially greet the 150 members of the Pregnant Association of Argentina who are meeting in the city of Pilar. Thank you so much for what you do! Courage, forward!
Finally, I greet the many participants in the Harley-Davidson motorcycle rally and the members of the state police motorcycle club.
We turn now to Our Lady, entrusting each human life – especially the most fragile, defenseless and threatened – to her maternal protection.
[Translation by Joseph Trabbic]
