Vatican City, May 29, 2005 / 22:00 pm
On Saturday, Pope Benedict told members of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of Burundi, in Rome for their "ad limina" visit, that through the Gospel they must “tirelessly” call their people, ravaged by recent war, to forgiveness and reconciliation.”
Speaking in French, the Holy Father first recalled Archbishop Michael A. Courtney, murdered in December 2003 while serving as the Vatican’s apostolic nuncio to Burundi.
"He was faithful,” the Pope said, “even to the point of sacrificing his life to the mission with which the Holy Father had entrusted him in the service of your dear country, and of the local Church."
The Pope also noted that the five yearly "ad limina" visits which bishops make to the Vatican, and the corresponding reports they present, highlight "the Catholic Church's active role in promoting peace and reconciliation in your country, especially during this election period."