During the General Audience of May 17, 2017, Pope Francis greeted veterans of the battle of Monte Cassino, which enabled the Allies to liberate Rome in 1944 from the German occupation. He hoped that the sacrifice of the dead would sow peace in the world.
Addressing himself to Poles in the course of the greetings in different languages, the Pontiff turned to the veterans of the Second Corps of the Polish Army, who came to Italy for the anniversary of the battle, which after several months of confrontations, witnessed the break in the Gustav line and the retreat of the Germans in May, 1944.
“I greet all the combatants here present, who in the course of World War II fought for the freedom of your country and of other nations,” said the Pontiff. And he hoped that “your effort, the engagement and the sacrifice of life of your companions, will fructify with peace in Europe and in the whole world.”
“I bless you from my heart, you here present and your families,” concluded Pope Francis.
