The Church in Sicily is called to bear witness to mercy, especially in the upcoming Jubilee Year.
This was the message given by Pope Francis to participants of the VI Regional Meeting of the Divine Mercy that is being held in Sicily, Italy.
Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin sent a telegram to participants on behalf of the Holy Father. Regarding their meeting, the Italian prelate stated that the Pope welcomed their preparations for the Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy.
“His Holiness Pope Francis warmly welcomes the providential opportunity to deepen one of the main themes of the preaching of Jesus Christ, which is the face of Mercy of the Father, and hopes that the Church of Piazza Armerina and the Churches of Sicily will bear witness to the mercy of God revealed in Christ, professing it and embodying it in the lives of pastors and faithful, in the exercise of the corporal and spiritual works of mercy,” the message stated.
Concluding his message, Pope Francis invoked the blessing and protection of the Virgin Mary on the participants and “to the faithful of the diocesan community and to the entire people of Sicily.” (J.A.E).
The following is the full text of the Pope’s message:
To Bishop Rosario Gisana
Bishop of Piazza Armerina
At the Sixth Regional Meeting of the Divine Mercy, which is held in Gela, in the context of the preparation for the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy, His Holiness Pope Francis warmly welcomes the providential opportunity to deepen one of the main themes of the preaching of Jesus Christ, which is the face of Mercy of the Father, and hopes that the Church of Piazza Armerina and the Churches of Sicily will bear witness to the mercy of God revealed in Christ, professing it and embodying it in the lives of pastors and faithful, in the exercise of the corporal and spiritual works of mercy .
His Holiness, while invoking the heavenly protection of the Virgin Mary, Mother of Mercy, asks for prayers in support of his Petrine ministry and imparts to Your Excellency, to the organizers of the movement “Fraternity Apostolic Divine Mercy”, to the presenters and all participants a heartfelt Apostolic Blessing, extending it to the faithful of the diocesan community and to the entire people of Sicily.
From the Vatican, April 26, 2015
Cardinal Pietro Parolin
Secretary of State
