Everyone needs some heavenly help, pope tells Italian soldiers

November 7, 2024 at 1:47 p.m.
Pope Francis, seated next to Bishop Santo Marcianò, the military ordinary for Italy, greets a general during an audience with members of the Italian army's transport and materials division and of its volunteer corps at the Vatican Nov. 7, 2024. (CNS photo/Vatican Media)
Pope Francis, seated next to Bishop Santo Marcianò, the military ordinary for Italy, greets a general during an audience with members of the Italian army's transport and materials division and of its volunteer corps at the Vatican Nov. 7, 2024. (CNS photo/Vatican Media) (Vatican Media)

By Cindy Wooden, Catholic News Service

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- People in every profession need some heavenly inspiration and help from time to time, so choosing a patron saint is a good idea, Pope Francis told members of the Italian army's transport and materials division.

The pope welcomed the officers, soldiers and a large group of volunteers to the Vatican Nov. 7 to celebrate the 70th anniversary of St. Christopher being named their patron saint by Pope Pius XII.

"I also have a devotion to St. Christopher," the pope told them. "I always have a St. Christopher medal with me because he helps me keep going."

Choosing a patron saint, the pope said, is "to recognize that there is no profession or state in life that does not need to cling to true values and receive divine protection."

And it is even more important for a profession like military service, which includes "the possibility of saving lives or losing them, and bringing support, help and protection," he said. In those cases, service members have an even greater need "to maintain a high code of ethics and to draw inspiration from above."

Members of the unit assist their fellow Italians when earthquakes or floods hit, setting up field hospitals and temporary housing as well as transporting food, water and other basic necessities, the pope said. They also support Italian peacekeepers abroad and deliver humanitarian aid.

Pope Francis said he was impressed with how many men and women from the unit join its volunteer corps when their enrollment ends, or they retire.

"Christopher means 'Christ-bearer,'" the pope noted. And when members of the unit or the volunteers bring aid to people suffering because of natural disasters or armed conflict, "sometimes without knowing it, you bear the style of Christ, who came to serve and not to be served."



Related Stories

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- People in every profession need some heavenly inspiration and help from time to time, so choosing a patron saint is a good idea, Pope Francis told members of the Italian army's transport and materials division.

The pope welcomed the officers, soldiers and a large group of volunteers to the Vatican Nov. 7 to celebrate the 70th anniversary of St. Christopher being named their patron saint by Pope Pius XII.

"I also have a devotion to St. Christopher," the pope told them. "I always have a St. Christopher medal with me because he helps me keep going."

Choosing a patron saint, the pope said, is "to recognize that there is no profession or state in life that does not need to cling to true values and receive divine protection."

And it is even more important for a profession like military service, which includes "the possibility of saving lives or losing them, and bringing support, help and protection," he said. In those cases, service members have an even greater need "to maintain a high code of ethics and to draw inspiration from above."

Members of the unit assist their fellow Italians when earthquakes or floods hit, setting up field hospitals and temporary housing as well as transporting food, water and other basic necessities, the pope said. They also support Italian peacekeepers abroad and deliver humanitarian aid.

Pope Francis said he was impressed with how many men and women from the unit join its volunteer corps when their enrollment ends, or they retire.

"Christopher means 'Christ-bearer,'" the pope noted. And when members of the unit or the volunteers bring aid to people suffering because of natural disasters or armed conflict, "sometimes without knowing it, you bear the style of Christ, who came to serve and not to be served."


Have a news tip? Email [email protected] or Call/Text 360-922-3092

e-Edition


e-edition

Sign up


for our email newsletters

Weekly Top Stories

Sign up to get our top stories delivered to your inbox every Sunday

Daily Updates & Breaking News Alerts

Sign up to get our daily updates and breaking news alerts delivered to your inbox daily

Latest Stories


US bishops' conference president calls for prayer, unity following the 2024 election
The president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops is calling for prayer and unity, following the nation's general election...

Everyone needs some heavenly help, pope tells Italian soldiers
People in every profession need some heavenly inspiration and help from time to time, so choosing a patron saint is a good idea, Pope Francis told members ...

Receive Jesus, adore him, carry him to the world, pope tells seminarians
The path of priestly formation resembles a Eucharistic procession, shaped by a spirit of closeness and devotion...

Reclaiming the tradition of cemetery visits
I had the good fortune of growing up in an era in which family lived close to one another ...

‘Awe and Wonder’: Diocesan pilgrims visit Eucharistic sites in Italy
Twenty-two pilgrims traveled to Italy earlier this fall as part of the Diocesan Eucharistic ...


The Evangelist, 40 North Main Ave., Albany, NY, 12203-1422 | PHONE: 518-453-6688| FAX: 518-453-8448
© 2024 Trenton Monitor, All Rights Reserved.