Pope remembers slain Italian nun, urges prayers for seafarers
(Sept. 25, 2006) Pope Benedict XVI on Sunday paid homage to the memory of an Italian
nun who pardoned her killers as she lay dying from an attack in Somalia. "Some are
asked to give the supreme testimony of blood," for the sake of Christ, "as happened
a few days ago to the Italian religious, Sister Leonella Sgorbati, who fell victim
to violence," the Pope told some 3000 people gathered in the courtyard of the papal
summer residence of Castelgandolfo. "This nun, who for many years served the poor
and the children in Somalia, died pronouncing the word 'pardon,'" the Holy Father
recalled speaking during his traditional weekly midday Angelus prayer. "This is the
most authentic Christian witness, a peaceful sign of contradiction which shows the
victory of love over hate and evil." Sister Leonella, a Consolata missionary
who worked in a pediatrics hospital in the Somalian capital of Mogadishu, was shot
by two gunmen on Sept. 17. "No doubt, following Christ is difficult," Pope Benedict
XVI said, "but, as he says, only the one who loses his life for the sake of the Gospel
will save it. … There exists no other path to be his disciple, there is no other path
to witness to his love and tend toward evangelical perfection," the Pope added. Sr.
Marzia Feurra, a Consolata missionary who was with Sr. Sgorbati in her final moments
said “We held hands, looked at each other and, before turning out like a little candle,
three times she repeated to me ‘forgive.’ After reciting the angelus the Pope
urged prayers for seafarers and their families. Listen!