Vatican City, Sep 23, 2009 / 11:27 am
At the conclusion of today’s general audience, Pope Benedict XVI recalled the example of St. Pio of Pietrelcina as the Church celebrates his feast day and encouraged Catholics to follow his example of “generous service to God and neighbor.”
In his greeting in Italian to young people, the infirm and newlyweds, the Holy Father said he hoped that the example of Padre Pio would “help you, beloved infirm, to experience in your suffering the help and consolation of Christ crucified.”
“May he make you, beloved newlywed spouses, capable of conserving in your families a constant concern for the poor,” he continued.
Lastly, Benedict XVI said he hoped “the example of this very popular saint will be for priests in this Year of Priests, and for all Christians, an invitation to always trust in the kindness of God.” The Pope also encouraged priests to imitate Padre Pio's dedication to offering the Sacrament of Reconciliation, calling the saint an “untiring dispenser of divine mercy” and “a great devotee and faithful minister.”