Pope Francis, meeting on Thursday, November 14, with participants in a conference organized by the Pontifical Dicastery for the Canons of Saints, praised the powerful and holy examples of the saints, which focus on martyrdom and the sacrifice of life .
Vatican News
Vatican City, Thursday, November 14, 2024 (Rei): The Pope reminded us at the beginning of the conference that it is inspired by the words of Jesus in the Gospel of Saint John: “Greater love has no one than this, that someone will put his life for his friends. (John 15:13)
Pope Francis affirmed that to be a saint “does not require a mere human effort nor a personal commitment to renunciation and sacrifice,” but, “above all,” he said, “to allow oneself to be transformed by the power of the love of God that is.” bigger than us and allows us to love more than we thought we were capable of.
paying the price for the love of christ
The Pope recalled that during the conference the participants reflected on two types of holiness: martyrdom and the sacrifice of life.
Pope Francis welcomed the participants at the conference organized by the Pontifical Dicastery for Saints. He said: “Since ancient times, believers in Jesus have held in high esteem those who personally sacrificed their lives for the love of Christ and the Church.”
“Even today, in many parts of the world, there are many martyrs who give their lives for Christ,” the Pope acknowledged.
And he added: “In many cases Christianity is persecuted because it is inspired by faith in God and defends justice, truth, peace and the dignity of people.” In this context, the Pope expressed his gratitude for the upcoming Jubilee of Hope in 2025. indication bull “The testimony of the martyrs must be defined as the most concrete testimony of hope,” he stated, noting his decision in .
martyrdom today
The Pope said that for this reason he created the Commission on the New Martyrs within the Dicastery for Saints, witnesses of faith decided to establish.
Pope Francis thanked the participants and encouraged them to continue their work for the saint’s cause with passion and generosity. He concluded his message by commending them “to the intercession of the Virgin Mary and of all the witnesses (saints) of Christ, whose names are written in the Book of Life.”
