Pope says Blessed Pope John XXIII always worked for unity, peace

(Oct.29,2008):-Marking the 50th anniversary of the election of Blessed Pope John XXIII, Pope Benedict XVI said his predecessor always worked to increase agreement, hope, unity and peace. "The pope was a man of peace and a pastor of peace, who knew how to open unexpected horizons for fraternity among Christians and dialogue with all in the East and the West," Pope Benedict said Tuesday, after praying at the tomb of Blessed Pope John.
Some 3,000 pilgrims from the Diocese of Bergamo, the home diocese of Blessed Pope John, travelled to the Vatican to mark the anniversary of his Oct. 28, 1958, election. Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, Vatican secretary of state, presided at the evening memorial Mass with the pilgrims, while Pope Benedict joined them later for prayers at the pope's tomb and for a brief address. Pope Benedict told the pilgrims, "A truly special gift offered to the church with Pope John XXIII was the Second Vatican Council," which he called, prepared and opened in 1962. "We are all committed to accepting that gift in an appropriate way, continuing to meditate on its teachings and translate them into the daily life of the church,” he said.
Pope Benedict also used the occasion to ask the pilgrims from Bergamo to remember the importance Pope John placed on families and on parishes, as the most important place for Catholics to grow in and celebrate their faith.