Pope presides at Holy Mass for the feast of the Gendarmerie Corps

Like angels who protect and serve

“Following the example of Saint Michael Archangel, be like the angels, who protect and serve”, Pope Francis said to Gendarmes on Saturday afternoon, 5 October, during Holy Mass at the Altar of the Chair in Saint Peter’s Basilica, on the occasion of the Feast of Saint Michael Archangel, Patron Saint of the Gendarmerie Corps. The celebration had to be postponed from 29 September, due to the Pope’s Apostolic Journey in Luxembourg and Belgium.

Like each year, members of the Gendarmerie Corps and their families gathered around the Pope to participate in a Eucharistic celebration to celebrate their Patron Saint. Referring to the presence of family members, the Pontiff highlighted that the “work of the Gendarmes and of the Fire Fighters could not be possible without the patience and understanding of family members, to whom I would like to apologize for all the times that your husbands, fathers, children or brothers are not home, because they are on duty”.

The Pope concluded by thanking the Gendarmerie Corps, and invoking the Lord to grant “wisdom and patience”, without losing “a sense of humour”.

During the consecration, Cardinal Fernando Vérgez Alzaga, President of the Governorate of Vatican City State, approached the Altar. Concelebrating at the Mass, were Fr Franco Fontana, Chaplain of the Directorate of Security and Civil Protection Services and of the Vatican Museums, who addressed a brief greeting to the Pontiff, Augustinian Fr. Gioele Schiavella and other priests.

Also present at the Mass were, Sr. Raffaella Petrini, Secretary General of the Governorate, Gianluca Gauzzi Broccoletti and David Giulietti, Commander and Deputy Commander, respectively, of the Gendarmerie Corps, members of the Association of Gendarmes on Leave and the Corps’ Musical Band.