Pope encourages peace marchers

(June 15, 2009) Pope Benedict XVI assured his spiritual closeness with the participants in the 31st march for peace from Macerata to Loreto in Italy which took place on Saturday night. The marchers carried the flame of peace that Pope blessed last Wednesday during the general audience. Assuring the participants of his "spiritual presence" in the peace march, the Pope said that his "fervent desire" was that those who "participate in this night-time walk of prayer and reflection can experience the joy of Christ" and the "maternal intercession of the Virgin Mary, Mother of Hope." The event sponsored by the Communion and Liberation movement, the diocese of Macerata, and other church associations, was on the theme, ‘We have placed our hope in the living God.”