REMARKS OF JOHN PAUL II 
AT THE BLESSING OF THE NEW STATUE 
OF ST CATHERINE OF SIENA

Saturday, 28 October 2000

I am very grateful to Archbishop Gaetano Bonicelli for the courteous words he addressed to me and I greet the authorities and faithful present, particularly Mr Eric Aman, the artist responsible for this impressive marble sculpture. On the occasion of the first anniversary of the proclamation of St Catherine of Siena as co-patroness of Europe, you wanted to donate this work to the Patriarchal Vatican Basilica, in order to enrich the patrimony of sacred art found in the various niches of this church. I thank everyone who contributed in any way to realizing this project. It is a significant tribute to the figure of St Catherine who, in the spirit of this Jubilee, is presented to us as an ever valid reference-point to guide our journey of faith at the beginning of the new millennium.

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