November 2, 2009. The pope marked the tenth anniversary of the joint declaration on the doctrine of justification between Lutherans and Catholics.



Signed in 1999, the declaration put an end to one of the most important issues that separated Catholics and Lutherans since the Reformation.

With the agreement, both sides recognized that faith is not the only thing that will lead to salvation, but that works are also necessary. They also assumed that God is savior and that his forgiveness should be trusted.

During his Sunday angelus, Benedict XVI said he hopes the anniversary of the declaration inspires the unity of all Christians.

The pope remembered the commemoration of the faithful who have died and said that the best way to honor them is with acts of faith, hope and charity.

On the occasion of All Saints’ Feast he also remembered all the canonized priests and highlighted even those who aren’t saints as a good example for the rest of society.

Benedict XVI
“Each one of us remembers a priest that has helped us grow in our faith and brought us closer to the goodness of God.”

The pope also said that to be a saint one had to follow Christ like these priests did, with joy and without mediocrities, and said that being a saint is the best service one can give to others.

PVB/RS/JM