Pope John Paul II’s visit to the Italian Parliament remembered

November 15, 2012: Pope Benedict XVI on Wednesday sent a message to the Italian Parliament on the occasion of the 10^th Anniversary of the visit of Pope John Paul II to the Parliament, wishing the Senators and Representatives.
The message signed by the Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, said that the ‘meeting in a public session on 14 November 2002 in the Hall of Deputies is a memorable page in the history of relations between Italy and the Holy See. In spite of his precarious health, Pope John Paul II wanted to attend that meeting. The unanimous warm welcome he received at his entry into the House, and the consent given at the end of his speech’ were indeed remarkable, the message added.

The message addressed to Sen. Renato Schifani, President of the Senate, and Mr. Gianfranco Fini, President of the Chamber of Deputies, highlighted the need for ‘drawing the sap of Christianity, which animates the social and cultural identity of Italy and its mission in Europe and in the world’ especially in a social context made more difficult by the consequences of the economic crisis.

‘This spiritual and ethical heritage can always offer, even in difficult times, adequate resources for the renewal of conscience and for the harmonious orientation to the common good, first of all by those who are called to be a part Of this Parliament’, noted the message.

It also said that ‘the Supreme Pontiff hopes that the ongoing collaboration between Italy and the Holy See, as well as between the State and the Church in Italy will continue to support the journey of the Italian nation, especially families, in their primary socio-educational roles, and all citizens, especially in the sense of civic responsibility.
The Pontiff assured his prayers and invoked God’s blessings on all the Members of both Houses of Parliament on their activities.