Pope welcomes 'Benedictine torch'

March 14, 2012

At the conclusion of his regular weekly public audience on March 14, Pope Benedict XVI received a delegation from Norcia, Italy, carrying the “Benedictine torch” that has been circulating around the world as a sign of fraternity and peace.

The Benedictine torch began circulating in Europe in 1964, after Pope Paul VI declared St. Benedict a patron of Europe. It has been lit in Berlin, Prague, Bucharest, Strasbourg, Budapest, Madrid, Lisbon, Warsaw, Brussels, Vienna, London, Moscow and Jerusalem. In 2001 the torch was carried to New York, to be lit there as sign of solidarity after the terrorist attacks of September 11. Having completed its rounds of major European cities, the torch is now being returned to Norcia, the home of St. Benedict.

 

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Further information:

• Benedictine Torch in Rome (VIS)