World News
Pope prays priests will be in love with Christ
Published: August 3, 2009
CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy (CNS) -- Pope Benedict XVI prayed that the world's priests would be totally in love with Christ and would serve God and their brothers and sisters like many saintly priests did. Reciting the Angelus prayer Aug. 2 with visitors gathered in the courtyard of the papal villa at Castel Gandolfo, Pope Benedict spoke about the 2009-2010 Year for Priests. In deepening an understanding of the role of priests, he said, the church's calendar of saints offers "true models of spirituality and priestly dedication." Remembering St. Alphonsus Liguori Aug. 1, the church honored a "great master of moral theology and model of Christian and pastoral virtue," he said. The celebration Aug. 2 of the "Pardon of Assisi," a plenary indulgence St. Francis of Assisi convinced the pope to grant in 1216 -- and one which still is granted annually at Franciscan churches and shrines -- demonstrates the concern of St. Francis for the forgiveness and salvation of all people, he said. The feast of St. John Vianney, patron of parish priests, is Aug. 4. The Year for Priests coincides with the 150th anniversary of the French priest's death and Pope Benedict said he would talk about the saint during his weekly general audience Aug. 5 at Castel Gandolfo.
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