Pope Announces Public Display of Holy Shroud

(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”.