VATICAN CITY, NOV. 4, 2007 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI remembered St. Charles Borromeo and Pope John Paul II as two great men of the Church, "distant in time, close in the Spirit."
The Pope said this today in his greeting in Polish, after having prayed the Angelus together with some 50,000 people who gathered in St. Peter's Square. "Let us thank God for the life and work" of both, the Holy Father added.
The Pontiff also recalled that today is the name day of John Paul II, born Karol Wojtyla (1920-2005). The Church celebrates the commemoration of St. Charles Borromeo (1538-1584) on Nov. 4.
In his address before reciting the Angelus, Benedict XVI described St. Charles, archbishop of Milan, as "the model of the pastor known for his exemplarity in charity, doctrine, apostolic zeal and above all prayer." The Pope recalled the bishop's words, "We conquer souls on our knees."
The Holy Father continued, "Consecrated bishop when he was only 25, he put into practice the decree of Trent that demanded that bishops reside in their diocese, and he dedicated himself entirely to the Ambrosian church: three times he visited the entire diocese; he called six provincial synods and eleven diocesan synods."
The Pope observed that as a bishop Charles Borromeo "founded seminaries to form a new generation of priests; he built hospitals and gave his family wealth to the service of the poor; he defended the Church's rights against the powerful; he renewed religious life and instituted a new congregation of priests, the Oblates."
"His motto was a single word: 'Humilitas,'" said Benedict XVI. "Humility moved him, as it did the Lord Jesus, to renounce himself to become the servant of all."
After having recalled this, the Pope recommended to St. Charles' intercession "all the bishops of the world, for whom we invoke as always the celestial protection of Mary Most Holy, Mother of the Church."
The Pontiff recalled his "venerable predecessor John Paul II, who with devotion bore St. Charles' name."
ZE07110407 - 2007-11-04