Divine Mercy a Key Facet of Faith, Says Pope 

Remembers John Paul II's Devotion

VATICAN CITY , APRIL 23, 2006 ( Zenit.org ).- Devotion to Divine Mercy is "an integral dimension of a Christian's faith and prayer," says Benedict XVI.

The Pope highlighted the importance of this devotion today on Divine Mercy Sunday before praying the Regina Caeli with more than 50,000 individuals gathered in St. Peter's Square.

Devotion to Divine Mercy is a spiritual movement within the Church promoted by Sister Faustina Kowalska (1905-1938).

Pope John Paul II canonized the Polish religious April 30, 2000 , and announced on the same day that "throughout the world, the second Sunday of Easter will receive the name of Divine Mercy Sunday."

John Paul II, "valuing the spiritual experience of a humble religious, St. Faustina Kowalska ... wanted the Sunday after Easter to be dedicated in a special way to Divine Mercy, and providence disposed that he should die precisely on the vigil of that day in the hands of Divine Mercy," said Benedict XVI today in his address.

The Holy Father first commented on the day's Gospel, which narrates the apparition of the risen Christ to the apostles gathered in the Upper Room: He "showed the disciples the signs of the crucifixion, very visible and tangible also in his glorious body."

"Those sacred wounds, in the hands, the feet and the side, are an inexhaustible source of faith, hope and love in which each one can drink, especially souls most thirsty for divine mercy," the Pontiff said.