Pope Francis greeted the supreme knight, officers and directors of the Knights of Columbus as they visited Rome on pilgrimage this week to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Order’s establishment in the Eternal City.
The pope praised the Knights for their “faithful witness to the sacredness and dignity of human life,” and its support for “Christian communities in the Middle East that are suffering the effects of violence, war and poverty.” He added: “I thank all the members of your Order for seeing in our persecuted and displaced brothers and sisters of that region neighbors for whom you are a sign of God’s infinite love.”
The Holy Father also called the Order “an important inspiration to overcome a globalization of indifference and build together a more just and inclusive society.”
He also addressed the members of the Knights, saying “I entrust you to the loving intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary. I offer my prayers for the members of the Knights of Columbus and their families, and for the good works accomplished by the local councils worldwide.”
Read the pope’s full remarks here.
Read the Vatican news article here.