At the end of this celebration, I would like to greet all the pilgrims present.

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

1. After having celebrated yesterday the Solemnity of All Saints, today, 2 November, our prayerful gaze is directed toward those who have departed from this world and are awaiting arrival into the Heavenly City. The Church has always strongly advised that we pray for the dead. She invites believers to regard the mystery of death not as the "last word" of human destiny but rather as a passage to eternal life. As we read in the Preface of today's Mass:  "When the body of our earthly dwelling lies in death we gain an everlasting dwelling place in heaven".

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

1. Today we celebrate the Solemnity of All Saints. It invites us to turn our gaze to the immense multitude of those who have already reached the blessed Homeland, pointing us to the road which leads to that destination.

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

1. I still have vivid memories of the intense emotion of these days, when so many people gathered round me on the occasion of the 25th Anniversary of my Pontificate. First of all, I renew my thanks to God, rich in mercy, for these 25 years of ministry at the service of the Church. I then desire to express deep gratitude to my brother Cardinals, Patriarchs and Bishops who desired to take part in this jubilee event in such great numbers, witnessing yet again to their sincere communion with the See of Peter.

I offer warm greetings to the English-speaking pilgrims, especially those from India and the United States. May the example of Mother Teresa increase your love of the Lord and inspire ever greater service to the needy.

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

1. Next Thursday, 16 October, will be the 25th anniversary of my Pontificate. At 6: 00 p.m. in St Peter's Square I will celebrate a solemn Mass of Thanksgiving. I immediately thank all those who will be joining me in prayer, thanking God for his continuous and providential help.

At the end of this celebration, I wish to greet the numerous pilgrims who have come to pay homage to the new Saints.

I cordially welcome the groups of pilgrims and the delegations that have come from Germany, Austria and South Tyrol. I especially greet the members of the Religious Family from Steyl. May the new Saints help you all to be witnesses of God's grace for humanity!

Dear Brothers and Sisters!

1. The beginning of the month of October is nearly here, the month of the Holy Rosary. In a particular way, I entrust to Our Lady the Consistory which I intend to hold on 21 October to celebrate the occasion of my 25th Year of Pontificate. Once again, over and above the set numerical limit, I will create some new Cardinals in this Consistory.

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

1. Continuing on my spiritual pilgrimage to the Shrine of Pompei, which I am looking forward to visiting, please God, this coming 7 October, I would like today to pause and meditate on the mysteries of the Rosary known as "the mysteries of light". They integrate the traditional moments of the childhood, passion and glory of Christ with those, equally important, of his "public life" (cf. Apostolic Letter Rosarium Virginis Mariae, n. 19).