Here is a ZENIT translation of the address Pope Francis gave October 14, 2018, after the Holy Mass celebrated in the courtyard of the Vatican Basilica for the Canonization of seven Blesseds, before praying the midday Angelus with those gathered in St. Peter’s Square.
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Before the Angelus:
Dear Brothers and Sisters, good morning!
Before concluding this Holy Mass, I wish to greet and thank you all.
I thank the Brother Cardinals and the very numerous Bishops and priests from all over the world.
My deferent gratitude goes to the official Delegations of many countries, come to render homage to the new Saints, who contributed to the spiritual and social progress of their respective Nations. In particular, I greet Her Majesty Queen Sophia, the President of the Italian Republic, the Presidents of Chile, of El Salvador and of Panama.
A special thought goes to His Grace Rowan Williams and to the Delegation of the Archbishop of Canterbury, with heartfelt gratitude for their presence.
My greeting goes to all of you, dear pilgrims, as well as to all those following <the ceremony> through radio and television. In particular, I greet the large group of the ACLI, who have remained very grateful to Pope Paul VI.
And now we turn in prayer to the Virgin Mary, the Lord’s first and perfect disciple; may She help us to follow the example of the new Saints.
© Libreria Editrice Vatican
[Original text: Italian] [ZENIT’s translation by Virginia M. Forrester]
