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Pope Benedict XVI- Angelus |
Angelus Message
On the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul
H.H. Benedict XVI
June 29, 2006
Dear Brothers
and Sisters,
I am a bit late because the Celebration at St Peter's was longer
than expected. I ask your pardon.
Today, we are solemnly honouring Sts Peter and Paul, "Apostles of
Christ, pillars and foundations of the city of God", as today's
liturgy sings. Their martyrdom is considered the true act of birth
of the Church of Rome.
The two Apostles gave their supreme witness close to each other in
time and place: here in Rome, St Peter was crucified and afterwards
St Paul was decapitated. Their blood mingled as if in a single
witness to Christ, which prompted St Irenaeus, Bishop of Lyons, in
the middle of the second century to speak of the "Church founded and
organized at Rome by the two most glorious Apostles, Peter and Paul"
(Adversus Haeres 3, 3, 2).
A little later, from North Africa, Tertullian exclaimed: "How happy
is the Church of Rome on which the Apostles poured forth all their
doctrine along with their blood" (De Praescriptione Haereticorum,
36).
For this very reason the Bishop of Rome, the Successor of the
Apostle Peter, carries out a special ministry at the service of the
doctrinal and pastoral unity of the People of God scattered across
the world.
In this context, it is also easier to understand the significance of
the rite we renewed this morning during Holy Mass in St Peter's
Basilica, that is, the conferral upon several Metro-politan
Archbishops of the Pallium, an ancient liturgical symbol that
expresses the special communion of these Pastors with the Successor
of Peter. I extend my greeting to these venerable Brother
Archbishops and to all those who have accompanied them, as I invite
you all, dear brothers and sisters, to pray for them and the
Churches entrusted to their care.
There is yet another reason that makes our joy today even greater:
it is the presence in Rome, on the occasion of the Solemnity of Sts
Peter and Paul, of a special delegation sent by the Ecumenical
Patriarch of Constantinople, Bartholomew I. I repeat my welcome with
affection to the members of this delegation and I warmly thank the
Patriarch for having made the bond of brotherhood that exists
between our Churches even more evident with this gesture.
May Mary, Queen of the Apostles, whom we invoke with trust, obtain
for Christians the gift of full unity. With her help and following
in the footsteps of St Peter and St Paul, may the Church which is in
Rome and the whole People of God offer the world a witness of unity
and of courageous dedication to the Gospel of Christ.
After the Angelus:
I am following with apprehension what is happening in the Holy Land
and I pray that all the kidnapped people may be promptly restored to
their loved ones. I appeal to the Israeli and Palestinian Leaders to
seek responsibly, with the generous contribution of the
international community, that negotiated solution to the conflict
which alone can assure the peace to which their peoples aspire.
I am pleased to greet all the English-speaking pilgrims and visitors
present for today's Solemnity of Sts Peter and Paul. In a special
way, I welcome all those who are accompanying their Metropolitan
Archbishops for the reception of the Pallium. May you continue to
accompany them with your prayers and devoted support. To all of you
I impart my Apostolic Blessing. Happy feast of Sts Peter and Paul!
© Copyright 2006 - Libreria Editrice Vaticana
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