Catholic World News News Feature

Cardinal recalls late Pope's dedication to religious life April 15, 2005

Archbishop Piergiorgio Silvano Nesti presided at the 8th of the novendiali Masses for Pope John Paul II on Friday, and in his homily emphasized the late Pontiff's interest in encouraging religious life.

The archbishop, who is secretary of the Congregation for Consecrated Life, remarked that Pope John Paul had "already reserved a special place for those who responded to God's call, making the commitment to follow the poor, chaste, obedient Christ." He recalled that the late Pontiff always made a point of meeting with religious men and women on his pastoral voyages, and showed a particularly lively support for the religious living in cloisters. During his 26-year pontificate, the archbishop added, Pope John Paul beatified and canonized a record number of religious men and women.

The last of the 9 daily Masses celebrated in St. Peter's Basilica for the repose of the soul of the deceased Pontiff will be on Saturday afternoon, April 17. Cardinal Jorge Arturo Medina Estevez, the senior cardinal-deacon of the College of Cardinals, will be the principal celebrant.

Cardinal Medina Estevez will play a prominent role in another event sometime in the near future: He will be the cardinal who announces the name of the new Roman Pontiff.