» 06/29/2011 14:54 VATICAN Peter’s primacy and the priestly vocation are divine preferences, pope says During the Angelus, Benedict XVI spoke about the feast day of Saints Peter and Paul and the 60th anniversary of his priestly ordination. He gave thanks for all the prayers he received from various parts of the world, which help to “to enhance the strength and freedom to proclaim the Gospel”. He greeted a delegation from the Patriarchate of Constantinople, a promising sign for Christian unity.
Vatican City (AsiaNews) – In today’s Angelus, Benedict XVI noted, quoting from hymns in the Western and the Eastern traditions, that Rome owes its greatness to the fact that it “was stained red by the precious blood” of the Apostles Peter and Paul.
The pope appeared late by almost half an hour at his studio’s window to recite the Marian prayer with the pilgrims in Saint Peter’s Square. He apologised, saying that he was delayed by the long ceremony held in the basilica during which he gave the pallium to 40 metropolitan bishops.
Here is what the pope said before the Angelus prayer:
Dear Brothers and Sisters!
"O Roma Felix!" was sung today, Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, patron saints of the city. “O happy Rome, stained red by the precious blood of such great Princes. Not for your praise, but for the merits of the saints, [You] excel on every beauty of the world!” As the hymns of the Eastern traditions say, the two great Apostles are the wings of God’s knowledge, who travelled the earth till its limits, and rose to heaven. They are the “hands” of the Gospel of grace, the “feet” of the truth of the proclamation, the “rivers” of wisdom, and the “arms” of the cross (cf MHN, t. 5, 1899, p. 385). Witnessing the love and faithfulness of Saints Peter and Paul enlightens the Pastors of the Church on how to lead men towards the truth, and educate them in the faith in Christ. Saint Peter, especially, represents the unity of the apostolic college. For this reason, during the liturgy celebrated this morning in the Vatican Basilica, I imposed the pallium on 40 Metropolitan Archbishops, a token that expresses the communion with the Bishop of Rome in the mission to lead the people of God to salvation. Saint Irenaeus, bishop of Lyon, wrote to the Church of Rome "propter potentiorem principalitatem [for its peculiar principality], saying that it must be the point of convergence of all other Churches, because it has always guarded the tradition that comes from the Apostles " (Adversus haereses, III,3,2).
Peter’s profession of faith built the foundation of the Church. “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God,” says the Gospel of Matthew (16:16). Peter’s primacy is divine preference; so is the priestly vocation: “For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father” (Mt, 16:17). This is what happens to those who heed God’s call with their whole life. I gladly remember it this day, which marks the 60th anniversary of my priestly ordination. I am grateful to the Lord for his calling and for the ministry he gave me. I thank those who, on this occasion, expressed their closeness and support to my mission with their prayers, which incessantly rise to God from each ecclesial community (cf Acts, 12:5), becoming adoration for Cristo Eucaristia in order to enhance the strength and freedom to proclaim the Gospel.
In this atmosphere, I am happy to greet cordially the delegation of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, which is present today in Rome in accordance with an important custom, to venerate Saints Peter and Paul, and share with me hope for Christian unity as willed by the Lord. With confidence, let us call on the Virgin Mary, Queen of the Apostles, to ensure that everyone who has been baptised be always a “living stone” that builds the Kingdom of God.
