Vatican City, Dec 2, 2009 / 08:48 am
At the end of his general audience, Pope Benedict XVI reminded those present that today is the 25th anniversary of Pope John Paul II's Apostolic Exhortation on the Sacrament of Confession, “Reconciliatio et Paenitentia.” The Holy Father then drew attention to several saints who were “tireless dispensers of divine mercy.”
After noting that “Reconciliatio et Paenitentia” notes the importance of the Sacrament of Penance in the life of the Church,” Benedict XVI listed a few saints who are “apostles of the confessional.”
He explained that St. John Marie Vianney, St. Joseph Cafasso, St. Leopold Mandic and St. Pio of Pietrelcina were all “tireless dispensers of divine mercy.”
The Pope implored young people, may the saints' "witness of faith and charity encourage you, dear young people, to shun sin and to plan your future as a generous service to God and mankind.”