Scottish Catholic Observer

Pope Francis remembered St John Paul II and asked for the late Pope’s intercession ahead of the 10th anniversary of his death tomorrow.

Addressing Polish pilgrims in St Peter’s Square during this morning’s general audience, the Holy Father said we remember the late Pope (above) as ‘a great witness of the suffering Christ, dead and risen.’

“We also ask him to intercede for us, for the families, for the Church, in order that the light of Resurrection shines on all the shadows of our life and fills us with joy and peace,” he said.

St John Paul II died on April 2, 2005, aged 84. He was Canonised last year.

Pope Francis also spoke about the celebration of the Sacred Triduum, which begins, on Holy Thursday.

“We begin the Triduum by celebrating the Mass of the Lord’s Supper, as we recall Christ’s offering of his body and blood to the Father, which he gave to the Apostles as food for their nourishment, with the command that they perpetually celebrate these mysteries in his memory,” he said. “We recall also the Lord washing the Apostles’ feet, through which he showed that the purpose of his life and passion is to serve God and neighbour, a service which we are called to imitate by loving one another as he loved us.

“On Good Friday, we will meditate on the mystery of Christ’s death and we will adore the Cross. By his sacrifice, sin has been overcome through love, an immense love which we are called to live and transmit.”

On Holy Saturday, the Pope said, we will ‘contemplate Jesus’ lying in the tomb, and with Mary, the Church will keep alive the flame of faith, hoping against every hope in Christ’s resurrection.’

“Then, at the Easter Vigil, when the Alleluia resounds again, we will celebrate the Risen Christ, the centre and fulfilment of the universe and history,” the Pope said. “In these days, may we not only observe the Lord’s Passion, but truly enter into its mystery, making our own the sentiments of Christ. In this way, our Easter will indeed be blessed.”

– [email protected]