Pope Leo XIV receives members of the
National Italian American Foundation (@Vatican Media)
Pope: 'A hallmark of many Italian immigrants to US was
their Catholic faith'
Pope Leo XIV welcomes the National Italian American
Foundation in the Vatican on Wednesday morning, recalling that "a hallmark
of many who immigrated to the United States from Italy was their Catholic
faith," which he says sustained them in difficult moments.
By Deborah Castellano Lubov
"A hallmark of many who immigrated to the United States
from Italy was their Catholic faith..., which sustained them in difficult
moments, even as they arrived with a sense of hope for a prosperous future
in their new country."
With this recollection, Pope Leo XIV welcomed the National
Italian American Foundation in the Vatican on Wednesday morning. He received
them before his weekly General Audience in St. Peter's Square, on the occasion
of the Foundation's 50th anniversary.
Warmly greeting the members of the Foundation's Board of
Directors in English, the Holy Father commended their efforts.
Their faith sustained them
"As you well know," he recognized, "tens of
millions of Americans proudly claim their Italian heritage, even if their
ancestors arrived in the United States of America generations ago."
Pope Leo thanked them for their work to educate young people
regarding Italian culture and history, as well as provide scholarships and
other charitable assistance in both countries, which, he said, "helps to
maintain a mutually beneficial and concrete connection between the two
nations."
Italian immigrants' Catholic faith, he said, was rich with
popular piety and devotions that they continued to practice in the United
States.
"This faith," Pope Leo insisted, "sustained
them in difficult moments, even as they arrived with a sense of hope for a
prosperous future in their new country."
Pope Leo receives
National Italian American Foundation (@Vatican Media)
Cherish your legacy
The Pope observed the group's visit to the Vatican occurs
during the Jubilee Year of hope, inviting them to enjoy the spiritual
wealth of Rome, which is "marked by the tombs of the Apostles Peter and
Paul as well as many saints who strengthened the Church throughout difficult
periods of history."
"In an age beset by many challenges, may this,"
the Holy Father said, "renew your sense of hope and trust in the
future."
Before imparting his Apostolic Blessing, Pope Leo XIV
reassured, "I pray that each of you and your families will always
cherish the rich spiritual and cultural legacy that you have inherited from
those who have gone before you."
Pope Leo receives
National Italian American Foundation (@Vatican Media)
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