Pope celebrate the dedication of the Lateran Basilica

Vatican City, 09 Nov 2013: ‘Today's feast is the feast of the city of Rome, the Church of Rome, and the universal Church’, said Pope Francis during his brief homily at Mass on Saturday in the chapel of Casa Santa Marta in the Vatican. The Pontiff was celebrating Mass commemorating Saturday's feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica, the Cathedral of Rome, also called "the mother of all the churches of the city and the world".

Pope Francis drew from the day’s readings "three icons" that speak of the Church. From the first reading from the book of prophet Ezekiel, and from Psalm 45, he drew the icon of river water that flows from the temple and make glad the city of God, the image of grace which sustains and nourishes the life of the Church.

From the second reading, St. Paul to the Corinthians, he drew the icon of the stone, which is Jesus Christ, the foundation on which the Church is built.

From the Gospel passage of the cleansing of the Temple, the Pope drew the icon of the reform of the Church". The Church is always in need of reform, said the Pope, because the members of the Church are always sinners and in need of repentance.

The Pope concluded by inviting the faithful to pray for the Church so that she may have the water of grace always, and that she is always founded on Christ and remains faithful, and her members always allow themselves to be converted to Jesus.Source: VR Sedoc