"It is more and more necessary wrote the Pope by recalling the subject of the meeting to re-propose the example of Christian martyrs, both in ancient days and in modern times: love of God manifests itself through their lives in a supreme way, until the effusion of blood". On the other hand, as for the charity works carried out during centuries "to meet the needs of the poorest", Benedict XVI said that they "represent an extraordinary token of what love of God can do when is welcomed in the heart of man". The message concludes with an encouragement for the two Academies, so that "their commitment in the different cultural and artistic aspects may really become a bright and beautiful token, shining also before today’s men, fostering them to glorify our Father in the skies". During the session, the prize of the Papal Academies was awarded to Archaeologist Antongiulio Granelli, for his doctoral thesis about the Cemetery of Panfilo, and a "Papal Medal" was awarded to Scholar Massimiliano Ghilardi.
