” ” ” “"After yesterday’s solemn celebration in which I had the joy of imposing the Pallium on the Metropolitan Archbishops appointed during the last year, today’s meeting offers me a pleasant opportunity to renew to all of you my friendly welcome and extend the climate of communion hierarchical and at the same time homely that can be felt in this particular circumstance". These are the words spoken today by the Pope to the metropolitan archbishops who yesterday received the Pallium on the Day of the Saints Apostles Peter and Paul. "The image of the organic body that is made of the Church said Benedict XVI as he received them in audience is one of the strong, typical features of the doctrine of Saint Paul, and therefore in this year dedicated to him I wish to entrust each one of you, dear Archbishops, to his heavenly protection". "May the Apostle of the People wished the Pontiff help you make the communities in your charge grow, united and missionary, harmonious and coordinated in the pastoral work, enlivened by a permanent apostolic surge". Then, in greeting each one of those present, the Pope began from the Holy Land, greeting the Patriarch of Jerusalem of the Latins, Mgr. Fouad Twal; then an "affectionate greeting" to mgr. Giancarlo Maria Bregantini, mgr. Paolo Benotto and mgr. Francesco Montenegro, Metropolitan bishops of Campobasso-Boiano, Pisa and Agrigento, respectively.
