Meeting with Europe’s Gypsy community is not something hear about too often. Let alone with the Pope. His Holiness met with the Gypsies today. The Gypsies made a pilgrimage to Rome to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the birth of their heavenly patron and martyr, Blessed Ceferino Giménez Malla (1861-1936); it is also the 75th anniversary of his martyrdom; John Paul II beatified Gimenez in 1997 (here’s the beatification homily).
This is not the first time a pope has met with Europe’s gypsy communities. Paul VI met twice with them, John Paul in 1997 and in 2000 and now Benedict. The Church has worked with Gypsies consistently over the years traveling with them as their chaplains.
Benedict said three things that stand out:
“The conscience of Europe cannot forget so much pain! Never again must your people be the object of vexations, rejections and disdain!”
“On your part, always seek justice, a law-abiding life, reconciliation…avoid being a cause of another’s suffering.”
“The Church walks with you and She challenges you to live according to the high and demanding requirements of the gospel, confiding in Christ’s strength, toward a better future.”
Read the Q&A with Archbishop Antonio Maria Vegliò, the organizer of the meeting between the Holy Father and 2000 people from the various Gypsy communities.