Angelus: Celebrating the Gospel of Life

(Vatican Radio) Following Mass on Sunday morning, celebrated on the occasion of Evangelium Vitae Day, Pope Francis recited the Angelus and bestowed his Apostolic blessing upon those gathered in Saint Peter’s Square.

Below is Vatican Radio’s English translation of the Holy Father’s Angelus address.

Dear brothers and sisters,

At the conclusion of this Eucharistic celebration dedicated to the Gospel of life, I am pleased to recall that yesterday, in Carpi, Oduardo Focherini, husband and father of seven, journalist, was proclaimed Blessed. Captured and imprisoned because of hatred against his Catholic faith, he died in the concentration camp of Hersbruck in 1944 at the age of 37. He rescued many Jews from the Nazi persecution. Together with the Church in Carpi, we give thanks to God for this witness to the Gospel of Life!
I offer my sincere thanks to all of you who have come from Rome and from many other places in Italy and the world, particularly families and those who work directly for the promotion and protection of life.
I cordially greet the 150 members of the “Grávida” Association – Argentina, gathered in the city of Pilar. Many thanks for what you have done! Be courageous, and go forward!
Finally, I greet the many participants of the Harley-Davidson motorcycle rally, and also those of the State Police Motorbike club.
We turn now to Our Lady, entrusting every human life, especially the most fragile, defenceless, and weak, to her maternal protection.