July 5, 2010. Benedict XVI traveled to the Italian town of Sulmona to commemorate the 800th anniversary of the birth of Pope Celestine V. He is the only pope in history who resigned. He said he didn't think he was capable of the job. Benedict XVI highlighted Celestine V 's little interest in material goods and called people to follow “a lifestyle of sobriety”, also in this society marked by “comfort.”


He focused on the silence that the benedictine pope lived. He said it is necessary to listen to God's voice and to those close to us.

Benedict XVI
“We live in a society in which every space, every moment must be 'filled' with initiatives, activities, sounds. Often there is not even time to listen or to converse.”

As last year a strong earthquake left 300 dead in the area of Sulmona, during the Mass the pope remembered those affected by the disaster, the sick and those who are jobless.

During the evening the pope met with youths in the Cathedral of Sulmona. They joked with the pope, they showed him their support and they asked him about vocation and the way to live a life of faith.

“You are strong and affectionate like the people here, in Abruzzo.”

The pope told them that to know their vocation they need to have the “capacity and the joy of listening and following the voice” of God. For this it is necessary to have silence and prayer and to always be at the service of others.

But he advised them that faith and prayer “do not solve problems” but allow facing them “with a new light and a new strength.”

Benedict XVI also asked youths to love their priests, in spite of their weaknesses.

Benedict XVI
“Love the Church: she gave you the faith, she brought you to know Christ. Love your bishop, your priests, with all of our weaknesses, priests are a precious presence in life.”

Before leaving he honored relics of St. Panfilo and of St. Celestine V in the crypt of the cathedral. Hundreds of people bid him farewell and asked him to return as soon as possible.


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