Pope encourages attendance at Mexico family meeting; plenary indulgence granted

January 12, 2009

Pope Benedict XVI mentioned his keen interest in the 6th World Meeting of Families during his Angelus audience on January 11. The Pope said that he would "closely follow this extraordinary event, accompanying it with my prayers and participating through a television linkup" as thousands gather in Mexico City from January 14 to 18. The Holy Father asked all the faithful to pray for the success of the meeting, citing the importance of initiatives to assist parents and strengthen family life.

The Vatican has released a decree from the Apostolic Penitentiary, approved by Pope Benedict, to grant a plenary indulgence for anyone who will "participate devotedly" in the Mexico City meeting. The indulgence-- granted under the usual conditions-- applies to those who are "united in spirit and heart" with the gathering in Mexico City, even if they cannot physically attend. The decree is signed by Cardinal James Francis Stafford and Bishop Gianfranco Girotti, the penitentiary major and regent, respectively, of the Apostolic Penitentiary.

 

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Further information:

• Plenary indulgence for the World Meeting of Families (VIS)
• Baptism: gift, joy, responsibility (VIS)
• Pope in videoconference with Mexico City at the world meeting of families (AsiaNews)