In Bari, pope highlights importance of Eucharist, Christian unity

Published: 2005-05-31

BARI, Italy (CNS) -- On the shores of the Adriatic Sea, Pope Benedict XVI celebrated his first Mass outside Rome as pope, encouraging Catholics to demonstrate to the world the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist, "the sacrament of his love." The May 29 Mass, celebrated under a hot sun on the seashore, marked the conclusion of the weeklong Italian eucharistic congress. Pope Benedict, who spoke of the importance of celebrating the Eucharist as a community united in faith, used the Mass as an opportunity to affirm his commitment to promoting Christian unity. The Gospel was chanted in Greek by an Eastern-rite Catholic deacon, underlining Bari's identity as a place where Christians from the East and West meet around the tomb of St. Nicholas, a saint both venerate.

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