Pope honors first Christian martyr, says love inspires martyrs

Published: 2007-12-26

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- The love that led God to become human in Jesus Christ is the same love that motivates martyrs to forgive their persecutors, Pope Benedict XVI said. With thousands of visitors standing in a cold rain in St. Peter's Square, the pope recited the Angelus at noon Dec. 26, the feast of St. Stephen, the first Christian martyr. "The profound bond that links Christ to the first martyr, Stephen, is divine charity: The same love that pushed the Son of God to empty himself and be obedient even unto death on a cross, led the apostles and martyrs to give their lives for the Gospel," the pope said. The feast day, he said, is a time to pray for all men and women around the world who suffer because of their fidelity to Christ and to the church.

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