Holy Father Pope Francis addressed some 13,000 pilgrims from the Italian dioceses of Bologna and Cesena and recalled his visit to their communities which took place last year on October 1st, for the commemoration of the third centenary of the birth of Pope Pius VI, and with a thought also for Pius VII. His Holiness Pope Francis also highlighted that the occasion for the visit to Bologna was offered by the conclusion of the Diocesan Eucharistic Congress.
As reported by Vatican Radio, Holy Father Pope Francis remarked that “Heirs of these and other important figures of pastors and evangelizers (Pope Pius VI, Pius VII), you are called to continue on this same path, committing yourselves generously to proclaim the Gospel to your fellow citizens and witnessing it with works, which do not necessarily have to be great.” Further, His Holiness added, “Christians are the leaven of love, of fraternity, of hope with many small daily gestures, and he encouraged them to love small, everyday gestures that may be as small as the yeast but they do so much good”.
Holy Father Pope Francis concluded his addressing by encouraging the men and women of our time to open their hearts to an encounter with Jesus Christ.
