Addressing priests and families gathered on Sunday afternoon in the Cathedral of Ancona where he spent a day-long apostolic visit, Pope Benedict XVIth reaffirmed the importance of celibacy for priests, and asked them to be close to spouses, even to those in trouble.
Dear priests – Pope Benedict said – for the gift of ordination that you have received, you are called to serve as pastors of the ecclesial community, which is “family of families” and to serve as witnesses for families.
He urged them to encourage spouses, to share their responsibilities, and to help them renew the grace of their marriages.
And he said, be welcoming and charitable with those who are having problems in upholding their marriage commitments, and with those who, unfortunately, have failed to do so.
And to the married couples present at the meeting, the Pope suggested they find the strength to live a saintly life in the Holy Mass, in the Church, in forgiveness.
May your daily activity – Pope Benedict concluded – have its origin and its centre in sacramental communion, for the glory of God.