Archbishops from around the world manifested universality of the Church: Pope

June 30, 2012: The presence of the Archbishops, who came from different parts of the world, manifested in a visible way the universality of the Church, said Pope Benedict XVI on Saturday while addressing the metropolitan archbishops, their families, friends and the faithful, in the Paul VI auditorium in Vatican. He said that it was a great joy for him to impose the pallium on the archbishops at the tomb of the Apostles Peter and Paul.

The Church is called to make Christ known and to proclaim the Gospel in all continents and in different languages, the Pope said. Assuring his continued prayers, the Pontiff told the Archbishops, to build their diocesan communities, supporting them in the witness of faith and helping them to highlight the renewed enthusiasm of meeting Christ.

The pallium is a sign of particular unity with Christ and communion with the Successor of Peter. This communion permeate the hearts of the faithful of every metropolis, the Pope added.

The Pontiff exhorted the Archbishops to bring in to their communities the experience of intense spirituality and authentic evangelical unity so that it touches the hearts of believers and reverberates throughout society.

Prior to imparting his Apostolic Blessing, Pope Benedict invoked the intercession of the Mother of God and the Apostles Peter and Paul to witness the word of truth.