Saints of St. Peter's Square

'This edition of Bishop Padovese's 'Piccoli dialoghi fra santi di marmo' provides the Church an important resource for spiritual development. In the midst of time spent in Rome for meetings of Pope Francis' Council of Cardinals, I occasionally have the opportunity to walk through St. Peter's Square. At those times I consider the depth and breadth of the contributions to the life of the Church made by the saints whose images stand guard over the square, each day overseeing all who come and go in the midst of the life of the Church. Though Bishop Padovese's image is not above the Colonnade, we can consider him as among the most powerful witnesses in light of his lifelong commitment to the work of the Church and having made the ultimate sacrifice in that service.'- Cardinal Sean O'Malley, Archbishop of Boston