” “"Passion, persecution will never be missing in the history of the Church, and it is persecution that will become the source of mission for us Christians". It was said by the Pope, who, in the second general audience of the year although without ever mentioning it , seemed to refer to the events of the Polish Church after the resignation of mgr. Wielgus. "Christ Resurrected he said is at the core of history and of our life. The Cross always remains central to the life of the Church and to our personal life as well". In paraphrasing Tertullian’s philosophy, in the catechesis of the audience, entirely focussed on the figure of Saint Stephen, Benedict XVI then highlighted that, not only in the life of the first Christian martyr but "in our life as well", we learn that "the Cross that never goes missing becomes a blessing. In accepting it, we learn the joy of Christianity even at difficult times". "The value of the testimony went on the Pontiff is irreplaceable, because the Church feeds on it. Saint Stephen teaches us to love the Cross, because the Cross is the way through which Christ always comes towards us".” “
