Discourse by Pope Benedict XVI during his visit to the Don Orione Centre Monte Mario

(June 24, 2010) Pope Benedict XVI visited the Don Orione Centre located in Rome's Monte Mario district on the 24^th of June, Thursday, to bless a statue of the Virgin "Salus Populi Romani". The statue, which looks out over the city, has recently been restored and replaced on its tower. The great statue of Our Lady, nine metres high and made of gilded copper fell from its nineteen-metre pedestal in a storm and high winds on 12 October last year. The Holy Father's brief pilgrimage, and his blessing of the restored statue of the Virgin, has great religious and civil significance for the whole city, because the statue is a memory of historical events inscribed in the poplar imagination. The Pontiff during the blessing recalled the events that led to the placing of the statue on the hill of Monte Mario in 1953, in fulfilment of a popular vote given during the Second World War, when the hostilities and the weapons in Rome were brought to a halt. The Statue said the Holy Father, is positioned high above the city to pay homage to the sublime holiness of the Mother of God, who because of her humility has been exalted above the choirs of angels in the heavenly realms. The "Madonna" - as the Romans call it affectionately, said the Pope is looking down from this high pedestal on the family, civil and religious life of people in Rome protects and guides them. Speaking on the virtues of Don Orione Pope Benedict said that this person lived a lucid and passionate life for the Church and for God. He called his followers to live the call of love to God and humanity in faith, he added. Pope Benedict XVI's visit to Monte Mario also coincides with the 'Feast of the Pope' which the Orione Family promotes all over the world, following a tradition begun by St. Luigi Orione.