Pope talks about emotion he felt at Fatima

When Meeting Pilgrims in St. Peter's Square

VATICAN CITY, MAY 14 (ZENIT.org).- In today's Regina Cæli message, John Paul II recalled his emotional pilgimage to Fatima. Referring to the 24 hours he spent in Portugal, the Holy Father said: "In my heart, I still feel the emotion I felt yesterday in Fatima when beatifying the little shepherds Francisco and Jacinta Marto who, together with Lucia who is still living, had the privilege of seeing the Blessed Mother and of speaking with her."

Today the Church celebrates the World Day of Prayer for Vocations and, in keeping with a Roman custom, on this fourth Sunday of Easter, commonly known as "Good Shepherd Sunday," the Pope ordained 26 new priests of the diocese of Rome. After asking the faithful to pray for them so that their life and ministry will be a joyful witness to Christ and his Gospel, the Holy Father added, "in this month of May, which popular tradition dedicates to Mary, let us turn our minds and hearts constantly to her and imitate her faithful example of adhesion to the divine plan.Accepting the invitation that the Virgin made to the faithful, precisely at Fatima, let us pray and do penance for the Church, for the sanctification of priests, for the conversion of all those who live in sin, and for peace in the world."

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