"We thank the Lord for having given the Church this faithful and brave servant of His. We praise and bless the Blessed Virgin for having incessantly watched over his person and his ministry to the benefit of the Christian people and the whole of mankind". A special prayer of thanks ended the homily of the Mass celebrated by the Pope in repose of John Paul II’ soul. "And whilst we offer for his elected soul the redeeming Sacrifice went on Benedict XVI in front of thousands of devotees who were cramming a sunny Saint Peter’s Square today -, we beg him to keep interceding from Heaven for each one of us, especially for me, whom Providence has called to take on his invaluable spiritual legacy". On hearing these words, the crowd of faithful along with the many cardinals and bishops who filled up the parvis of the Vatican Basilica today joined in a long applause. "May the Church was Benedict XVI’s final wish , following his teachings and examples, faithfully and uncompromisingly continue his evangelising mission, tirelessly spreading the merciful love of Christ, the source of true pace for the whole world". The first World Congress on the Divine Mercy will go on in the Church of Saint John’s Lateran in the afternoon; tonight, the vigil of the young, headed by card. Ruini.
