After recalling that "since the XVI century, when the new Basilica began to be built last year, we celebrated the 5th centenary of the laying of the first stone , the history of the Vatican Chapter has been entwined with the history of Saint Peter’s Vestry Board, two separate institutions which however are united in the person of the Archpriest, who takes care of guaranteeing fruitful mutual cooperation", the Pope highlighted that "in the last century, especially in the last decades, the work of the Chapter in the life of the Vatican Basilica has progressively shifted to the rediscovery of its true original functions, which mostly consisted in the ministry of prayer". Then, Benedict XVI invoked the protection of Saint Peter and Saint John Chrysostom ("whose relics he said are just in your Chapel") and the other saints and blessed souls who are in the Basilica on this community of prayer and service, which he defined "an uninterrupted, deliberately not showy, but faithful and persevering, presence".
