“Lord, may the faith grow within us.” That’s the theme of Pope Benedict’s one day
pastoral visit Sunday to the tiny Republic of San Marino, nestled in the midst of
Italy, on the eastern side of the Apennine mountain range. The approximately 40 mile
wide stretch of territory is one of just a handful of city-states in Europe - the
sort of political units that made up much of the continent throughout the centuries.
Like
Lesotho and Vatican City (which of course finds itself right in the heart of the Eternal
City) it is one of just three states to be completely surrounded by another country.
Pope
Benedict’s visit coincides with the twenty-ninth anniversary of his predecessor Pope
John Paul II’s historic visit and on the heels of a two day apostolic journey to Croatia
in early June, where he celebrated the first National Day for the Catholic Family.
Considered
the world’s fifth smallest state, San Marino can trace its origins back to 301 AD
when, as chance has it, Croatia played a certain role in its foundation. According
to legend, it was founded by a Christian stonemason named Marinus from the Croatian
coast of Dalmatia. He was later made a saint for his defense of the faith in times
of persecution.
Passionist Fr. Ciro Benedettini, Deputy Director of the Holy
See’s Press Office, hails from San Marino. Tracey McClure spoke to him ahead of Pope
Benedict’s journey to the Republic.