CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy, SEPT. 23, 2007, (Zenit.org).- Greeting participants of the first international meeting of Gypsy priests, deacons and religious, Benedict XVI invited them to deepen their vocations and mission among their brothers and sisters.
The Pope said to the participants of the meeting that gathered today to pray the Angelus at Castel Gandolfo, "May the theme of your conference: 'With Christ at the Service of Gypsy People,' become a greater reality in each of your lives. I pray for this and I entrust you all to the protection of the Virgin Mary."
The meeting, organized by the Pontifical Council for Migrants and Travelers, is taking place in the Vatican through Monday.
The meeting is a follow-up to the council's 2006 document "Guidelines for the Pastoral Care of Gypsies," which provides ideas and norms for ministry.
The participants went on pilgrimage today to the Shrine of Our Lady of Divine Love in Rome, where they prayed the rosary in honor of Blessed Ceferino Giménez Malla, a Spanish martyr and the first beatified Gypsy.
ZE07092309 - 2007-09-23