Pope Francis: St. Adalbert's greetings to Polish pilgrims

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis had special greetings for Polish pilgrims at the weekly General Audience on Wednesday, during which the Holy Father recalled the celebration of the feast of St. Adalbert, one of the Patrons of Poland.

Born in the 10th century, St. Adalbert was the bishop of Prague, and a missionary to the Baltic peoples, who received martyrdom for his efforts to bring them the gospel.

"This past Sunday," said Pope Francis, "on the feast of Divine Mercy, we also commemorated St. Adalbert, Patron of Poland: it was also an occasion to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the institution of the Primatial See at Gniezno. To the protection of this great Bishop and Martyr [St. Adalbert], who carried the gospel message and the witness of Christian life into yuor lands, I entrust all the pastors and the faithful of the Church in Poland."

The Holy Father went on to say, "Keep your spiritual and cultural tradition alive for future generations, for that tradition grew up from [St. Adalbert's] blood. God bless you all!"