A though to “all those Christians who are persecuted for their religious beliefs”. This was given yesterday morning by Pope Benedict XVI before the Angelus, recalling that, due to some “providential coincidence”, the Consistory took place on March 24th, the day on which the Church commemorates the martyred missioners. “Their testimony said the Pope yesterday -, of which we are informed daily, and above all the sacrifice of those who have been killed, is edifying for us and urges us to a more and more sincere and generous evangelical commitment”. Then, the Holy Father sent a thought “in particular to those communities that live in countries where there is no religious freedom or, even if it does exist on paper, it is in fact restricted in many ways. To them he said- I send a heart-felt invitation to persevere in their patience and in Christ’s love”. Still before Angelus, the Pope spoke about the Consistory. “It was he said a deep ecclesial experience, that allowed us to have a taste of the spiritual wealth of collegiality, of a reunion of brothers from different places, all sharing one love of Christ and His Church”.
