Pope Benedict XVI speaks to the prisoners of Rebibbia

(March 31.2012) “Even in the darkest moments of our life, the last word is the light of God’s love,” said Pope Benedict XVIth, reminding the prisoners of Rome’s Rebibbia prison that the Blessed Virgin would stand at the foot of the Cross of each one of us, and pray for our resurrection. The Pope’s message was sent on the occasion of the Lenten Way of the Cross celebrated on Friday at the prison by the Pope’s Vicar for Rome, Cardinal Agostino Vallino. The Pope reflected on the Way of the Cross as a sign of reconciliation for prisoners who have fallen into wrong in their lives, but are comforted by the Jesus who fell under his cross but rose each time; for Jesus was fully aware that his eternal Father was with him, with all his love and infinite mercy. The Pope recalled, the words of one of the prisoners on his visit to Rebibbia prison a little before last Christmas. On that occasion a prisoner had spoken of prison as an occasion to rise again after the fall and to be reconciled with oneself, with others and with God, and thus to re-enter life in Society. This Way of the Cross had been organized by Rome’s Caritas association.