May the sacrifice of Fr Andrea Santoro, “silent and courageous servant of the Gospel,” who worked “to bring Christ and the Gospel” to Turkey, contribute to the cause of dialogue between religions and peace among peoples.” This is the prayer raised today by Benedict XVI who, at the end of his general audience, again commemorated the priest killed in Turkey, whose name received a long, standing applause from those attending the general audience.
The Pope revealed, in words spoken off-the-cuff, that he read and was “very moved” by “a beautiful letter written by Fr Santoro, which is the reflection of his priestly soul” and his “love for Christ and for His Church.” The letter, written last January 31, “together with the small Christian community of the Sancta Maria parish in Trebzon, is a moving testimony to love and adherence to Christ and His Church.” Along with this letter, which will be published today in the Osservatore Romano, Benedict XVI also said there was another written by the women of the parish, a further testimony to “zealous faith and love” put by Fr Andrea into his work.
Already two days ago, in telegrams of condolences, Benedict XVI had expressed the hope that the blood shed by Fr Andrea Santoro “become the seed of hope to build true brotherhood among peoples.” In these messages, he defined the slain priest as a “courageous witness of the Gospel of charity,” who “carried out in Turkey with generosity and apostolic zeal his ministry in favour of the Gospel and in service to the needy and outcast.”
During his general audience today, Pope Benedict XVI spoke of God’s special care for those who are poor and defenseless, encouraging faithful to approach the Father “as hungry beggars”, trusting in his promise of intimacy and protection.
Some 8,000 pilgrims were on hand in the Vatican to hear the Pope’s continuing commentary on the Psalms, today speaking on the second part of Psalm 144, which he titled, "Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom."
He began by pointing out that the psalmist first focuses his attention "on the love that the Lord reserves, in a special way, for the poor and weak.”
“This Divine royalty”, he said, “is not arrogant or haughty, as can sometimes happen with the exercise of human power. God expresses His royalty by inclining before the most fragile and defenseless of creatures."
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