Romana

At the ceremony for laying the first stone of the Campus Biomedico, in Trigoria, Rome

Saint Josemaría Escriva used to say that Opus Dei was born in the hospitals of Madrid. He said that the strength to fulfill God’s will had come to him through the prayers of the sick, to whom he dedicated no small part of his time—helping them, consoling them, administering the sacraments. At the same time, with great faith and convinced of the supernatural value of suffering, he asked them to offer their suffering for an intention that would give great glory to God.

Thus you can understand my joy in taking part today in this ceremony marking the start of construction of the new University Hospital, where it will be possible to carry out, with greater means and efficiency, the work that has been carried out now for a number of years in the service of the sick in the building on Via Longoni.

I also feel that I should note with special gratitude our debt to Bishop Alvaro del Portillo, my predecessor of holy memory, who encouraged the birth of this initiative with particular affection.

It has already been mentioned that this first stone of the University Hospital is also a point of departure for the definitive seat of the Campus Biomedico University, an initiative that—like all the projects that receive the spiritual assistance of the Prelature of Opus Dei—is a professional and civic entity, but at the same time one with a clear Christian identity. I am sure that everyone in this university, each in his or her own field, is making an effort to offer a loyal and effective service to society and to bringing light to the life of the men and women of our time through the effort of work well done, of serious and rigorous study, and especially of scientific research motivated by a sincere love for the truth, showing the harmony between reason and faith—always with the maximum respect for a legitimate pluralism of opinion. Such research will contribute to the building up of a more human society, one with greater solidarity, as well as to the great work of re-evangelization to which the Holy Father John Paul II has called all Christians.

Finally let me refer once again to Saint Josemaria. We learned from hiim to have a special love for last stones. Beginning is certainly important, but what is essential is to finish. I ask our Lord that we might find ourselves here once more within some months, the number of months scheduled for concluding the construction work.