Vatican City, 2nd April 2008 (CNA) - Speaking to participants of the first World Congress on Divine Mercy who were at a Mass for the third anniversary of the death of Pope John Paul II today, the Holy Father explained that the mercy of God was a key to the late Pope’s pontificate.

Pope Benedict said in his homily that the mercy of God was a key to the privileged pontificate of John Paul II, who was deeply devoted to the message of Divine Mercy that came through St. Faustina Kowalska, whom he beatified in 2002.

Having experienced personally the appalling tragedies of the twentieth century, John Paul II understood that only the Divine Mercy is able to put a limit to evil, and only the love of almighty God can overcome evil and arrogance of the destructive power of selfishness and hatred, the Pope said.

Pope Benedict appealed for the intercession of the Blessed Virgin, and for the intercession of Servant of God John Paul II, saying, "please continue to intercede from heaven for each of us, for me especially, that Providence has called to collect his invaluable spiritual heritage. May the Church follow the teachings and examples, continue faithfully and without compromise its mission of evangelization, spreading tirelessly merciful love of Christ, the source of true peace for the entire world."