May 14, 2012. (Romereports.com) The Pope had a very busy Sunday in Tuscany. That morning, he arrived by helicopter to the Italian town of Arezzo, where he was greeted by a group of children who wore traditional clothing. Afterward, the Pope celebrated Mass. During his Homily, he talked about the town's Christian heritage, urging its citizens to not ignore their roots or religion.
Benedict XVI
“Be ferment in society, be present as Christians, be active and coherent. With its centuries-old history, the City of Arezzo summarizes significant expressions of culture and values. Among the treasures of your tradition, you are proud of your Christian identity, visible in many signs and rooted in devotions like the one to Our Lady of Comfort.”
Then in the afternoon, the Pope made his way to the town of Sansepolcro, where he privately prayed in the Cathedral. That Church holds a famous crucifix known as “Santo Volto” which translates to the “Holy Face.” After praying, the Pope headed outside, where despite the cold and rainy weather, thousands of people waited to greet him. Once again, Benedict XVI called on people to follow in the footsteps of the city's founders.
Benedict XVI
“This ideal constitutes not only the anchor of the identity of Sansepolcro and the diocesan Church, but also a challenge: to conserve and promote Christian thought, which is at the origin of this city.”
The Pope was also planning on visiting the chapel of the Holy Wounds in La Verna, which is where St. Francis of Assisi received the stigmata back in 1224. However, that visit was canceled because of the weather conditions
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