Yesterday morning Francesco prayed on his knees in front of the body of his Venetian predecessor, remembered for his Catechism and extending the Eucharist to children. "I am his devotee," he confided Bergoglio, who moved the nativity in St Peter so as not to cover the the saint's tomb
ANDREA TORNIELLI VATICAN CITY
"I am a devotee of St. Pius X ...". With these words, Francis explained to Monsignor Lucio Bonora - Treviso Prelate of the Secretary of State, scholar of Pope Sarto - his presence among the faithful at the chapel in St. Peter's, which exhibits the relics of the Venetian Pontiff. Bergoglio, after he celebrated early morning Mass on Friday, August 21, the day when the Church celebrates the memory of St. Pius X, , took to the basilica to pray before the body of his predecessor. While he was kneeling before the altar, a Mass began, celebrated by Fr Bonora, who arrived in the chapel before fifty faithful, including the Pope. Francis, as reported by the website the diocesan weekly of Treviso "The life of the people", had decided to remain, participating in the celebration. He got up from the bench to receive the kiss of peace, and got in line to receive communion, continuing the time of worship and offering thanksgiving on his knees. "At the end the celebrant - writes "The Defence of the People" - he urged those present who had meanwhile gathered in large numbers to the chapel, to entrust to St. Pius X all the needs of their families and the Church, and especially the person of His successor, Pope Francis." Bergoglio, at the end of the Mass confided to Monsignor Bonora to pray especially for catechists. In Argentina, St. Pius X, the "Pope of the Catechism" is the patron saint of catechists, and as Archbishop of Buenos Aires, on the feast day of Saint Pius X, the Pope met with the catechists of the diocese. "I came to my prayer - he told Francesco Bonora - because I had already celebrated mass early, but then I saw that you were coming to the altar to celebrate, and then I stopped ... I told you that I am devoted to St. Pius X ."
Link to Vatican Insider...
(FOTO DI NICOLA ROSETTI - DA IL SISMOGRAFO)