Vatican City (AsiaNews) – At noon John Paul II appeared from the window of his studio at the Vatican Apostolic Palace to recite the Angelus together with faithful and pilgrims gathered below in St. Peter's Square.

Before the Marian prayer, taking inspiration from the day's feast of the Church's first martyr, St. Stephen, the pope remembered "especially (those) Christian communities undergoing persecution, and all believers who suffer for their faith."

Below we report the pope's words:

Dear brothers and sisters!

Amid the joyous atmosphere of Christmas today we celebrate the feast of St. Stephen, one of the first deacons of the Church. He is also called the "First Martyr", since he was the first disciple of Christ to spill blood for Him. He was stoned to death for false accusations similar to those made against Jesus Himself, and like his Master, he died forgiving his killers.

The Church calls the day of one's martyrdom the dies natalis. The death of a martyr is, in fact, the day of his birth in Heaven thanks to Christ's own death and resurrection. This is why it is so significant to celebrate the feast day of the first martyr the day after Christmas. Jesus, born in Bethlehem, gave his life for us so that we too, reborn "from on high" through our faith and baptism, would be able to sacrifice our life for the love of our fellow brothers and sisters.

Today I wish to remember especially Christian communities undergoing persecution, and all believers who suffer for their faith. May the Lord grant them the strength of perseverance and capacity to love even those who make them suffer.

Mary, Mother and disciple of her Son Jesus, accompanies the journey of all Christians, from the baptismal font to the hour of their death. May she help us, the Queen of Martyrs, to be "martyrs" as well. That is, may she at all times help us to be witnesses to Christ's love which, in these days, we contemplate in the Christ Child of the manger.

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