At the end of the Holy Mass with the Rite of Canonization of Blesseds Andrew de Soveral and Ambrose Francis Ferro, Matthew Moreira and 27 Martyr Companions; Christopher, Anthony and John; Faustino Miguez and Angelo da Acri, celebrated in the church square of the Vatican Basilica, the Holy Father Francis led the recitation of the Angelus with the faithful and pilgrims present in St. Peter’s Square.
Here is a translation of the Pope’s words before praying the Marian prayer.
* * *
The Holy Father’s Words
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
At the end of this celebration, I greet you all warmly, who have come from various countries to pay homage to the new Saints. A deferent thought goes particularly to the official delegations of Brazil, France, Italy, Mexico, the Order of Malta and Spain. May the example and intercession of these luminous witnesses of the Gospel accompany us on our journey and help us to promote always fraternal and solidary relations for the good of the Church and of society.
Taking up the desire of some Episcopal Conferences of Latin America, as well as the voice of several Pastors and faithful from other parts of the world, I have decided to convoke a Special Assembly of the Synod of Bishops for the Pan-Amazonian region, which will take place at Rome in the month of October 2019. The main objective of this convocation is to identify new ways for the evangelization of that portion of the People of God, especially of the natives, often forgotten and without the prospect of a serene future, also because of the crisis of the Amazon rainforest, lung of capital importance for our planet. May the new Saints intercede for this ecclesial event, so that, in respect of the beauty of Creation, all peoples of the earth may praise God, Lord of the universe, and illumined by Him, pursue paths of justice and peace.
I also remind that day after tomorrow the Day for the Eradication of Poverty will be observed. Poverty isn’t a fatality: it has causes that are recognized and removed, to honor the dignity of so many brothers and sisters, on the example of the saints.
And now we turn in prayer to the Virgin Mary.
Angelus Domini . . .
[Original text: Italian] [ZENIT’s translation by Virginia M. Forrester]
JF
