Dorota Abdelmoula-Viet – Vatican
Gratitude to the Spanish people and King Philip VI
Today’s greetings after the Angelus prayer, the Pope began by giving thanks for his apostolic journey to Spain, which concluded on Friday. Leo XIV expressed gratitude to God and thanked the Spanish nation, which received him with enthusiasm and devotion, the bishops, and the entire Church. He once again extended special thanks to King Philip VI of Spain. “May God always bless Spain!” he added.
Reminder of the new blesseds from Poland
Leo XIV also recalled that in recent days the Church gained new blesseds – Polish and Czech priests – Václav Drbola and Jan Bula – as well as Jan Świerc and Eight Companions. “All were beatified as martyrs because they fell victim to persecution by totalitarian regimes due to their fidelity to Christ,” emphasized the Holy Father. He also mentioned the Italian missionary Nazareno Lanciotti, beatified yesterday in Brazil. “May the example and intercession of these courageous witnesses support the mission of priests and the entire Church,” encouraged the Pope.
The Pope also assured prayers for the people of the Philippines, affected by the earthquake, and greeted the pilgrims present in St. Peter’s Square.
