• Pope Francis on Wednesday appealed for prayers for his Apostolic Voyage to Cuba and to the United States, which begins on Saturday. “I greet the Cuban and the American people,” he said, “who, guided by their Pastors, have prepared themselves spiritually” for the visit. The Pope invoked the “light and strength of the Holy Spirit, and the intercession of Mary Most Holy” the Patroness of Cuba under the title of the Virgin of Charity of Cobre, and the Patroness of America under the title of the Immaculate Conception.

    The Holy Father also noted that on Saturday Pio Alberto del Corona will be beatified in the diocese of San Miniato, in Italy. Venerable Pio Alberto was Bishop of San Miniato and founder of the Dominican Sisters of the Holy Spirit. Pope Francis described him as a “zealous guide and a wise teacher of the people entrusted to him” and prayed that his example and intercession “might help the Church to journey in the spirit of the Gospel, bearing fruits of good works.”

    Below please find Vatican Radio’s translation of the Pope’s appeal at the end of Wednesday’s General Audience:

    Next Saturday I will depart for an Apostolic Voyage to Cuba and the United States of America, a mission to which I am going with great hope. The principle reason for the Voyage is the Eighth World Meeting of Families, which will take place in Philadelphia. I will also be going to the central headquarters of the United Nations on the 70th anniversary of its institution. Even now I greet with affection the Cuban and American people, who, guided by their pastors, are spiritually prepared. I ask everyone to accompany me with prayer, invoking the light and strength of the Holy Spirit and the intercession of Mary Most Holy, Patroness of Cuba as the Virgin of Charity of Cobre, and Patroness of the United States of America as the Immaculate Conception.

    Also next Saturday, at San Miniato, Pio Alberto del Corona, Bishop of that Diocese and founder of the Dominican Sisters of the Holy Spirit, will be beatified. He was a zealous guide and wise teacher of the people entrusted to him. May his example and his intercession help the Church to journey in the spirit of the Gospel, bearing fruits of good works. 

    Source: Vatican Radio