Pope Francis says: Whenever we pray, we find ourselves immersed in a great stream of past, present and future intercession for the needs of individuals and of the whole world, for we pray together with all the saints in the communion of the Body of Christ which is the Church. The saints – this great “cloud of witnesses” (Heb 12:1) both known and unknown – ceaselessly pray with us and for us in giving glory to God. Our veneration of the saints draws us closer to Jesus, the sole Mediator between man and God. In Christ too, we sense a mysterious solidarity with our loved ones who have died, for whom we continue to pray. We experience this prayerful solidarity also here below, as we pray for one another and for our brothers and sisters who are poor, suffering and most in need. In these challenging times, let us thank the Lord for the great gift of the saints and confidently entrust ourselves to their intercession, for the spread of the Gospel and the salvation of our human family.