Pope Francis greeted pilgrims for the Regina Coeli prayer on the World Day of Prayer for Vocations.
The Pope stressed the Church is a great community “characterized by a variety of charisms and vocations at the service of the Gospel.”
He also remembered the life of a missionary who died on April 18 in an automobile accident.
POPE FRANCIS
It was with sorrow that I received the news of the death in an accident of Fr. Matteo Pettinari, a young missionary of the Consolata in the Ivory Coast. He was known as the tireless missionary who gave a great witness of generous service. We pray for his soul.
The Superior General of his Institute issued a statement announcing the loss. Fr. Pettinari was 42 years old. He had dedicated 13 years to serving in the mission in this West African country.
During his time there, he built a church in the north, using local materials with help from his neighbors. The parish is dedicated to St. Mukasa, a Ugandan catechist martyred in 1885.
PA
TR: KG
