” “"A huge thank you for being here with us today": on behalf of the participants in the meeting and the Churches in Italy, card. Camillo Ruini, president of the Italian Bishops Conference, welcomed Benedict XVI who came this morning at the Fair centre of Verona to meet the participants in the IV National ecclesial meeting. "I wish to highlight said card. Ruini the bond of admiration and communion, the deep affection, the gratitude of the heart, the determined adhesion to His lesson that join all of God’s people that is in Italy". Then, the cardinal added: "We feel this bond as God’s great gift, as a strong cement that keeps us joined together, as a secure and enlightening guide for our apostolic testimony. Therefore we will listen to and will welcome His words with a total openness of the mind and heart and we will try to make the most of them in the journey that the Italian Church is called to make". The president of the Italian Bishops Conference concluded with these words: "Our prayer is with you every moment. We know that His Holiness guards us in his heart, deeply knows, loves and blesses this Italy of ours. That is why, Holy Father, once again we say thank you".” “
