Vatican City, Apr 20, 2007 / 09:12 am
Today in the Vatican, Benedict XVI received members of the Papal Foundation, a Catholic organization based in the United States, which aims at supporting the ministry of the Holy Father. The group makes an annual pilgrimage to Rome.
"Since its inception," the Holy Father said in his English address to the group, "the Papal Foundation has sought to advance the Church's mission by supporting specific charities close to the heart of the Successor of Peter in his solicitude for all Churches.”
“I willingly take this occasion to express my gratitude not only for the assistance which the Foundation has given to developing countries through grants supporting a variety of educational and charitable projects, but also through the many scholarships provided to pontifical universities here in Rome for lay faithful, priests and religious.”
"In this way," he added, "you are making a significant contribution to the formation of future leaders whose minds and hearts are shaped by the teaching of the Gospel, the wisdom of Catholic social teaching and a profound sense of communion with the Universal Church in her service to the entire human family."
According to the Italian Religious Information Service, Pope Benedict tackled several topics, from financing of parishes, churches, and sanctuaries, to the construction of houses for the homeless, the poor, and from helping victims of disasters, to fostering projects in support of life.
The Papal Foundation (www.thepapalfoundation.com) operates service projects around the world, with a particular focus on the Church in Eastern Europe, the poor and starving in Africa, and wherever there is a particular need.
The projects supported by the foundation, “involve feeding people and feeding people’s souls: the mission of sharing the Word of God.”