(30 Mar 08 - RV) In his Regina Ceoli address, Pope Benedict XVI announced a new World
Congress on putting mercy into practise to mark the 3rd anniversary of
John Paul II’s death. Pope Benedict XVI’s marked Divine Mercy Sunday and paid
homage to his predecessor John Paul II this Sunday in his Regina Ceoli address, delivered
from the Balcony of his papal residence high in the Roman hills at midday.
Greeting
the crowds who filled the small courtyard, Pope Benedict invited them to join him
Wednesday in St Peter’s square, for mass marking the third anniversary of the John
Paul II’s death.
Describing his predecessor as “an Apostle of Divine Mercy”
the Holy Father reflected on “that unforgettable Saturday, 2 April 2005, when he closed
his eyes to this world”, which pointed out Pope Benedict “was the eve of the Second
Sunday of Easter”, commonly known as White Sunday or Domenica in Albis, but
also Divine Mercy Sunday.
It was during the Jubilee year 2000 when the beloved
Servant of God John Paul II decreed that on the first Sunday following Easter the
entire Church observe Divine Mercy Sunday. This was decreed on the same day the humble
Polish nun and zealous messenger of Christ’s Mercy, Faustina Kowalska, was canonized.
Pope
Benedict continued “His message, like that of St Faustina’s, leads back to the face
of Christ, the supreme revelation of God’s mercy. Mercy, is in reality the core of
the Evangelical message; This love of mercy illuminates the face of the Church as
well. All that the Church says and does is a manifestation of God’s mercy for man.
From Divine Mercy, which pacifies the hearts, comes true peace in the world, peace
among different peoples, cultures and religions”
“In effect the heart of [Pope
John Paul’s] long and multifaceted pontificate lies in that; his entire mission in
the service of the truth about God and man and peace in the world is summarised in
this announcement, which he made himself in Krakow-Łagiewniki in 2002, when he inaugurated
the Shrine of Divine Mercy: ‘[A]part from the mercy of God there is no other source
of hope for mankind.’
“Many” observed pope Benedict “noted the singular coincidence…of
the timing of his death…. with its Marian dimension, that of being the first Saturday
of the month and that of Divine Mercy. Before taking his leave of the crowds,
Pope Benedict XVI thanked the residents of Castel Gandolfo village for their hospitality
during his week’s respite. The Holy Father than greeted all those who had gathered
to prayer the Regina Ceoli with him, before returning to the Vatican:
“This
Sunday’s Gospel reminds us that through faith we recognize the presence of the Risen
Lord in the Church, and that we receive from him the gift of the Holy Spirit. During
this Easter season may we strengthen our desire to bear witness to the Good News of
Jesus Christ calling us to a life of peace and joy”.