Benedict XVI remembers life of St. Francis de Sales

Vatican City, Jan 24, 2010 / (CNA).-

Speaking before today’s Angelus, Pope Benedict recalled the life of St. Francis de Sales. "He dedicated himself with great yield to preaching and spiritual formation of the faithful, teaching that the call to sainthood is for all people and everyone has a place in the Church.”

Due to St. Francis de Sales' evangelization, it is estimated that 72,000 people were converted to the Catholic faith in his native France. He was known for his gentleness and humility, penchant for preaching and great dedication to the Church.

On Saturday, in light of the celebration of the saint's feast day, the Pope released his Message for the World Day for Social Communications in which he emphasized the need for today's clergy to make use of modern technology and especially to be a presence for truth and wisdom online. The Pontiff remarked that it "will not only enliven their pastoral outreach, but also will give a 'soul' to the fabric of communications that makes up the 'Web.' "

On Sunday, the Church celebrates the feast day of this priest who is the patron of journalists and Catholic press.