The "wonderful mystery of faith" of the Annunciation was the cue for the Pope’s reflection yesterday, before saying the Angelus. "Mary’s ‘yes’ explained Benedict XVI is the perfect reflection of Christ’s yes, as He entered into the world" and "this is why the Annunciation is also a Christological celebration because it celebrates one of Christ’s central mysteries: his Incarnation". But, he added, "Jesus’ and Mary’s ‘yes’ is renewed in the ‘yes’ of the saints, especially that of the martyrs, who are killed because of the Gospel". Then the Pope recalled that 24th March, the anniversary of the murder of mgr. Oscar Romero, archbishop of San Salvador, "coincided with the Day of prayer and fasting for the martyred missionaries: bishops, priests, religious and lay people crushed in the accomplishment of their mission of evangelisation and human promotion". The martyred missionaries "are ‘hope for the world’, because they prove that the love of Christ is stronger than violence and hatred. They did not pursue martyrdom, but they were ready to give their lives to remain faithful to the Gospel". Finally, Benedict XVI mentioned that April 1st, to coincide with Palm Sunday, will be "the XXII World Youth Day" and invited the young of the diocese of Rome to attend the Penitential liturgy that he will officiate on March 29th in Saint Peter’s basilica.
