PASTORAL VISIT OF HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS
TO CESENA ON THE THIRD CENTENARY OF THE BIRTH OF POPE PIUS VI
AND BOLOGNA FOR THE CONCLUSION OF THE DIOCESAN EUCHARISTIC CONFERENCE

POPE FRANCIS

ANGELUS

Piazza Grande, Bologna
Sunday, 1 October 2017

Dear brothers and sisters,

The Salesian priest, Titus Zeman, was Beatified in Bratislava, Slovakia, yesterday. He joins the legion of 20th century martyrs because he died in 1969, after being imprisoned for a long time on account of his faith and his pastoral service. May his witness support us in life’s most difficult moments and help us to recognize the Lord in times of trial.

This Sunday marks the culmination of the week particularly dedicated to the Word of God, with yesterday’s celebration of the commemoration of Saint Jerome, a great teacher of Holy Scripture. May we thank God for the gift of his Word and may we be committed to reading and meditating on the Bible, in particular, on the Gospel.

Lastly, let us join in spirit, the faithful gathered today at the Shrine of Pompeii for the traditional Prayer to Our Lady of the Rosary, presided by Cardinal Bassetti, President of the Italian Episcopal Conference.

I wish all the people of Bologna, locals and the “adopted” newcomers, a happy Sunday. Please do not forget to pray for me. Have a good lunch. Arrivederci!