Papal Visit San Marino Authorities 2026

ADDRESS OF THE HOLY FATHER TO THE ECCLESIAL COMMUNITY Basilica of San Marino Saturday, August 22, 2026 Address of the Holy Father in the Basilica of San Marino Salute of the Holy Father to the young people present in the square _________________________________ Address of the Holy Father Dear brothers and sisters, good morning! I am happy to meet you in this Basilica –you too, who are outside–, in this Basilica dedicated to the holy deacon Marinus, your Patron. I greet His Excellency, your Bishop, whom I thank for the words he addressed to me, the priests, the consecrated and the consecrated, the representatives of the ecclesial life of the Diocese and all those present. I would like us to live this moment together as a stop in our common walk in the footsteps of Christ. The Diocese of San Marino-Montefeltro is the heir to a rich history of faith and courage: that of Saints Marino and Leone who, eighteen centuries ago, with the Christian announcement «brought into the context of this reality […] new perspectives and values, determining the birth of a culture and a civilization centered on the human person, image of God» (Benedict XVI, Homily, San Marino, 19 June 2011). Lay people and stonemasons –only later called, to varying degrees, to the ordained Ministry–, were able to translate the message of the Gospel into a new community and political model, strongly characterized by the Christian principles of freedom, mutual respect and communion, a model that is alive to this day. And it's nice to see how your diocesan and civil communities try to carry on the work of the Founders with the same enthusiasm and with the same fidelity. For this reason, I would like to stop and reflect with you on some aspects of your Church itinerary that I consider important. I turn first of all to young people, starting from what Pope Benedict XVI said to them, visiting here fifteen years ago: