Pope Leo XIV welcomed pilgrims in the Paul VI Hall, who had come from the countries of the blesseds recently proclaimed as saints.
In English, Spanish, and Italian, Pope Leo XIV addressed each of those present. Great emotion arose when he spoke to the faithful from Venezuela.
The words the Pope spoke to this large group were inspiring in times of difficulty.
POPE LEO XIV
Asking the Lord that this may be a strong encouragement for all Venezuelans to come together and recognize themselves as children and brothers and sisters of the same homeland, thus reflecting on the present and the future in the light of the virtues these saints lived out in a heroic way.
Cries of joy and applause broke out when Pope Leo XIV spoke directly to the Armenians about their newest saint, Ignatius Maloyan.NATS
Pope Leo reflected on the Armenian saint's courage and unwavering faith, even in the face of death.
POPE LEO XIV
When he was asked to renounce his faith in exchange for freedom, he did not hesitate to choose his Lord, even to the point of shedding his own blood for God. This makes me think fondly of the Armenian people, who carve the cross into stones as a sign of their firm and rock-solid faith.
Pope Leo also spoke on several other recently canonized saints, like the Italian, Maria Troncotti, who was a nurse during World War I. The Pope later defended traditional marriage when speaking of the martyr Peter To Rot.
POPE LEO XIV
At the same when these authorities permitted the practice of polygamy, Saint Peter To Rot, firmly defended the sanctity of marriage, and even confronted some powerful people.
The Pope concluded by encouraging all those present to return to their homelands with hearts full of gratitude and with the desire to keep alive the example of the new saints, reminding them that their legacy is part of the Church's testimony of faith and service throughout the world.
BAM/CRT
