Pope thanks Italian soldiers for aiding in humanitarian emergencies

By Lisa Zengarini

Pope Francis on Thursday met with officers and soldiers from the Italian Army’s  Transport and Material Corps on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the proclamation of Saint Christopher as their patron in 1954.

Courage and service 

Welcoming them in the Clementine Hall, Pope Francis began by praising the militaries for choosing as their patron this martyred Saint who embodies courage and service, remarking the importance of rooting their profession in strong ethical and spiritual values, especially since their work often involves saving and supporting lives.

He highlighted that having Saint Christopher as their patron serves as a reminder of the need for God's guidance and grace in their demanding duties and is a commitment to serve with a focus on human dignity, protecting the vulnerable, and acting selflessly, whether during peacetime, in natural disasters, or amid health crises.

Serving in peacekeeping missions,natural disasters and health crises

The Pope commended the Italian military corps for their dedicated service in emergencies such as earthquakes, floods, and the COVID-19 pandemic, including setting up essential infrastructure, providing logistical support, and distributing vital resources like vaccines. 

He also recognized their international peacekeeping efforts, in which they transport materials for military and humanitarian purposes.

'Serving gives us dignity'

“The precise, well-coordinated, and constant execution of all these  activities  has a specific name: service” , the Pope said. “It involves making oneself available for the common good, not sparing effort and energy, not shying away from dangers to complete the task, which often results in saving human lives and may entail risking one’s own safety.”

In this regard, Pope Francis noted even after active duty, many continue to support the community as volunteers, highlighting a commitment to service as a lifelong value.

Recalling that the name Christopher, means “the one who carries Christ,” the Pope  remarked that their dedication embodies Christ’s mission of service and aid to those in need. He concluded by invoking their patron saint’s blessing for the military corps to continue in their noble work and with a prayer for God’s  protection and guidance.