Vatican City, Jun 30, 2014 / 07:16 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Pope Francis focused his homily for the feast of the First Roman Martyrs on the witness of martyrdom, and prayed for all who continue to be persecuted for their faith, particularly in the Middle East.

“The Church grows thanks to the blood of the martyrs. This is the beauty of martyrdom” the Pope observed in his June 30 daily Mass.