(02 June 08 - RV) In the Spring of 2010, the Holy Shroud of Turin will be put on display
for the general public and Pope Benedict will be there.
The announcement
was made Monday morning by Pope Benedict, to the delight of 7 thousand pilgrims from
the Turin diocese who had made there way to the Vatican to mark the end of the diocesan
pastoral year dedicated to “Redditio Fidei”.
Addressing them in the Paul VI
audience hall, Pope Benedict described their city as being rich in civic and religious
history adding that “God willing” he too will visit Turin to “contemplate the mysterious
Face, which silently speaks to the hearts of humanity, inviting us to recognise the
face of God who loved us so much that he gifted us his only Son, so that those who
believe may have eternal life”.
The Pope had words of praise for the vitality
of the diocesan pastoral mission, particularly their intense spiritual movement centred
on the Sunday Eucharist and the importance of the Sacrament of Reconciliation. He
also praised their pastoral action of drawing close to Catholics who had distanced
themselves from the Church, a missionary commitment which was at the centre of this
year dedicated to “giving back the faith” or Redditio Fidei.
“Do not be afraid
to trust yourselves to Christ” he told the people of Turin, urging them to place Christ
at the heart of their families. Pope Benedict concluded: “Only Christ can satisfy
the deepest longing of the human soul. Let no difficulty, no obstacle stand in the
way of your love for his Gospel”.