Pope on All Saints Day: Beatitudes will lead us to God

Last updated on: November 1, 2014 at 6:30 pm by CNA Daily News

Pope on All Saints Day: Beatitudes will lead us to God 2014-11-01T18:30:00+00:00 CNA Daily News

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Rome, Italy, Nov 1, 2014 / 12:30 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- During Mass for the Solemnity of All Souls at Rome’s Verano cemetery, Pope Francis exhorted believers to follow the way of the beatitudes, calling it the path that will lead to sanctity.

“The people who go forward on the path of the beatitudes will reach God and become saints in that final meeting with Him,” the Holy Father said Nov. 1, Vatican Radio reported.

He said, “in order to journey back to God the Father, in this world of devastation, of wars, of tribulation, we must act according to the beatitudes.”

“This path will lead us through problems and persecution, but only this path will lead us forward.”

In his homily, he spoke off the cuff about today’s first reading from the book of the Apocalypse focusing on three images: a warning about earth’s destruction, the multitude who appears before God and God himself.

Speaking about the second image offered in the reading – the innumerable crowd standing before God – the Holy Father drew attention to the unknown saints.

“Those who come from great tribulation in the many parts of the world. The Lord sanctifies these people through tribulation.”

While at the cemetery, the Holy Father also blessed tombs and exposed relics of Saints John XXIII and John Paul II.

“In visiting Rome’s main cemetery, I am united in spirit with those who in these days visit the graves of their dead in cemeteries around the world,” the Pope said following his recitation of the Angelus earlier that morning in St. Peter’s Square.

His visit to Campo Verano is the second time he has traveled to the cemetery since his election, the first being to celebrate the same feast last year.

Located in the Tiburtino neighborhood of Rome, which is close to the Basilica of Saint Lawrence Outside the Walls, the cemetery was created in the early nineteenth century, and is currently divided into different sections.

The different sections of the cemetery include a Jewish cemetery, a Catholic cemetery, and a monument to victims of the First World War, the centenary of which is celebrated this year.

Campo Verano takes its name from a prestigious family, the “Verini,” who had lived there at the time of the Roman Republic, Vatican Radio reports.

According to the Vatican news service, the cemetery has been a burial site since ancient Roman times, and owes its striking appearance and unique layout to Giuseppe Valadier, a well-known Italian architect.

With the area originally containing ancient Christian catacombs, the modern cemetery was consecrated in 1835, and work on it continued under the guidance of Virginio Vespignani during the pontificates of Gregory XVI and Pius IX.

Vatican Radio reports that the cemetery was partially bombed by Allied forces in 1943, which led to the restoration work that established the three large entrances and four marble statues depicting meditation, hope, charity and silence that can be seen today.

Vatican

Previous Post

November 1, 2014

Mary the center of heavenly host, Pope says on All Saints Day

Next Post

November 1, 2014 Pope Francis reaches out to schismatic Old Catholic Church

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Americas Asia - Pacific Europe Middle East - Africa Uncategorized US Vatican

Select a Month November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

Who was Ahab's wicked wife, notorious for her cruelty?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Jezebel Athaliah Michal Abigail