Today is the Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul, a holiday here in the City of Rome, rendering not so much a “festive” mood to the City but simply a “silent, Sunday-quality” atmosphere. In his sermon during Vespers at St. Paul’s Basilica yesterday afternoon Pope Benedict XVI gave a brief reflection on the importance of this day in the City of Rome. He affirmed, “the bond which associates Peter and Paul in the one mission has assumed a very specific significance from the very first centuries. Just like the mythic brothers Romulus and Remus, so too Peter and Paul were considered the founders of the Church of Rome. In this regard, St. Leo the Great has this to say as he addressed the City: “These are your holy fathers, your true pastors who, to make you worthy of the reign of heaven, have built better than those who worked hard to lay the first foundations of your walls” (Sermons 82,7). Even if they were humanly different one from the other and despite the tension that existed in their relationship, Peter and Paul were considered the pioneers of a new city, the actualization of a new way of being brothers, made possible by the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Hence, we could say that today, the Church of Rome celebrates the day of her birth since it was these two Apostles who laid the foundation. Moreover, Rome now takes stock with more consciousness how great is its mission. Writes St. John Chrysostom, “ Not so bright is the heaven, when the sun sends forth his rays, as is the city of Rome, sending out these two lights (Peter and Paul) into all parts of the world" (Commentary on the Letter to the Romans 32).
In the same celebration yesterday, Pope Benedict proclaimed the celebration of the Year of St. Paul beginning from June 2008 to June 2009. For the significance of this event, you can click here.
