Vatican City, Apr 3, 2015 / 11:35 am (CNA/EWTN News).- In his homily for the celebration of the Passion of Our Lord on Good Friday, papal preacher Father Raniero Cantalamessa called for a spirit of forgiveness amid rising persecutions in the world.

“True martyrs for Christ do not die with clenched fists but with their hands joined in prayer,” Fr. Cantelamessa said, according to the English translation published by Vatican Radio.