(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis today celebrated All Saints Day telling the faithful that there are many saints to be found in ordinary life and that they are examples to be followed.
Speaking to the crowds gathered in St. Peter’s Square for the recitation of the Angelus, the Pope said saints are people who belong entirely to God, they carry the seal of God in their lives and on their persons.
Pointing out that we are all children of God and that we received the seal of our heavenly father with the sacrament of Baptism, Pope Francis said that saints are those who have lived their lives in the grace of Baptism, keeping that seal intact, behaving like children of God, trying to imitate Jesus.
“How many good people have we met in our lives; how often do we exclaim: ‘this person is a saint!’… These are the saints who live next door, not the ones who are canonized, but the ones who live with us” he said.
Imitating their gestures of love and mercy, he said, is a bit like perpetrating their presence in this world. Acts of tenderness, of generous help, of closeness can appear insignificant, but in God’s eyes they are eternal, “because love and mercy are stronger than death” he said.
After the recitation of the Angelus prayer the Pope reminded the faithful that on Sunday afternoon he will travel to Rome’s Verano Cemetery where he will celebrate Holy Mass in memory of the dead.
The Pope said that by visiting the city’s main cemetery he intends to spiritually join all those who in these days will be praying on the tombs of their loved ones in every part of the world.(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis has appealed to warring parties in Central African Republic to put an end to the cycle of violence afflicting the nation.
Speaking on Sunday during the Angelus Prayer, the Pope expressed “strong worry” for the “painful episodes of the past days that have worsened the situation in CAR”.
Appealing to the parties involved to take action to end the violence, he said he is spiritually close especially to the Comboni missionary fathers at the Parish of Our Lady of Fatima in Bangui who are assisting many displaced people.
Pope Francis also expressed his solidarity to the Catholic Church, to other religious denominations and to the entire Central African Republic as they make every possible effort to overcome divisions and undertake a journey of peace.
And reiterating his closeness to the “afflicted and tormented nation” the Pope urged all of its people to be witnesses of mercy and to work for reconciliation.
Pope Francis concluded his appeal telling those present that he hopes to travel to CAR at the end of the month and that he desires to open the Holy Door in Bangui Cathedral during his apostolic journey there.
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