It was July 19, 1943, a few
hours after the bombing of the Roman neighbourhood of San Lorenzo. Pius XII
left the Vatican to be near the population. Pope Benedict XVI, visiting the
parish of San Lorenzo, praised the readiness of Pope Pacelli on that dramatic
day.
Benedict XVI Nobody will ever be able to erase
from the memory of history that generous gesture of my venerable Predecessor,
who immediately ran to help and console the people who were harshly hit, among
the still smoking ruins. The Pope began the period of Advent with
this visit., an Advent dramatically accompanied by news of serious
violence. During the Angelus, he condemned the brutal terrorist attacks in
Mumbai, India, and the fighting that has broken out in Jos, Nigeria, which have
caused hundreds of deaths.
Benedict XVI The causes and
the circumstances of these tragic events are different but the horror and the
disapproval of the explosion of such cruel and senseless violence must be the
same.The Pontiff asked to appeal to God to touch the hearts of those who
falsely believe that this is the way to resolve local or international problems.
And he invited everyone to feel encouraged to offer an example of meekness and
love to build a society worthy of God and man.
