L'Aquila, Italy, Jul 3, 2010 / 15:43 pm
During his pastoral visit to Sulmona, Italy on Sunday, in addition to events on the official program, the Holy Father will also meet with a delegation from the local prison. According to their chaplain, the event will serve to communicate the hope found in Christ for inmates' "interior freedom."
Pope Benedict XVI, visiting the city in celebration of the 800th anniversary of the birth of St. Celestine, will meet with a representation composed of five inmates, security personnel and the director of the prison after he blesses a new home for elderly and sick priests.
Looking forward to the event, prison chaplain Fr. Franco Messori told Vatican Radio on Friday that the encounter with the Pope is valuable because it serves as an "announcement of a salvation that is for everyone and that freedom is Jesus Christ.
"In the end," he said, "the chaplain's task is announcing to him who seeks freedom that it is Jesus Christ who gives (it), even if one is in jail, even if justice sees fit that he or she must stay there."
In such a way, Fr. Messori continued, they still remain captive, "but in interior freedom."
Subscribe to our daily newsletter
At Catholic News Agency, our team is committed to reporting the truth with courage, integrity, and fidelity to our faith. We provide news about the Church and the world, as seen through the teachings of the Catholic Church. When you subscribe to the CNA UPDATE, we'll send you a daily email with links to the news you need and, occasionally, breaking news.
As part of this free service you may receive occasional offers from us at EWTN News and EWTN. We won't rent or sell your information, and you can unsubscribe at any time.
Click hereOur mission is the truth. Join us!
Your monthly donation will help our team continue reporting the truth, with fairness, integrity, and fidelity to Jesus Christ and his Church.
Donate to CNA