"A pilgrimage in commemoration of the martyrs of the XX century, countless men and women, known and unknown, who, over the twentieth century, have shed their blood for the Lord". With these words, the Pope defined today the visit to the Basilica of Saint Bartholomew, set aside by John Paul Ii "to be a place of commemoration of the martyrs of the XX century and entrusted by him to the Comunità di Sant’Egidio", which celebrates its 40th anniversary this year. "In this place, laden with memories went on Benedict XVI , we ask ourselves: why didn’t these martyr brothers of ours try to save at all costs the irreplaceable asset of their life? Why did they keep serving the Church, despite serious threats and intimidations?" "Every witness of the faith answered the Pontiff is ready to sacrifice his life for the Kingdom. In this way, one becomes Christ’s friend; in this way, one conforms oneself to Him, accepting the sacrifice through to the end, without putting any limits on the gift of love and the service of the faith". "In this basilica, where the relics of the apostle Bartholomew are preserved and the remains of Saint Adalbert are worshipped said the Holy Father , we can hear the echo of the telling testimony of those who, not only in the XX century, but since the beginning of the Church, by living love, have offered their life to Christ in martyrdom".
