Christians who face persecution, torture and death in some parts of the world are martyrs for their faith, the Pope says. In a message to pilgrims on the day after Christmas - the feast day of St Stephen, considered the first Christian martyr - the Pope said Christians who die for their faith pray for forgiveness for their killers."We should always note that this is a distinctive characteristic of the Christian martyr - it is exclusively an act of love, towards God and towards men, including the persecutors," Pope Benedict told crowds in a rainy St. Peter's Square.
"Christian martyrdom reminds us of the victory of love over hatred and death," he said.
Aust 26 Dec 2007
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