Jul 15, 2012 / 10:41 am
Pope Benedict XVI on Sunday praised the intellectual legacy of the 13th century Franciscan St. Bonaventure who popularized St. Paul's belief in the "centrality of Christ" in human history.
"All of history is centered on Christ, who guarantees novelty and renewal in every age," the Pope said in his Sunday Angelus address July 15.
"In Jesus, God has spoken and given everything, but because he is an inexhaustible treasure, the Holy Spirit never ceases to reveal and actualize his mystery. Therefore, the work of Christ and the Church never regresses, but always progresses."
Pope Benedict explained to enthusiastic pilgrims gathered in the courtyard of his summer residence at Castel Gandolfo that July 15 is the memorial of St. Bonaventure of Bagnoregio in the Church's liturgical calendar. He said the Doctor of the Church was not only the successor of St. Francis of Assisi as head of the Franciscan order, he was also St. Francis' first biographer.