Bl Piergiorgio Frassati--Patron of the Fraternities of St. Dominic

VATICAN CITY, JULY 4, 2007 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI offered the example of Blessed Piergiorgio Frassati, a student and sportsman who died at age 24.

At the end of today's general audience, the Pope greeted young people, the sick and newlyweds. He spoke to them about the Italian youth, who was a member of Catholic Action. The liturgical memorial of Blessed Piergiorgio Frassat (1901-1925) is celebrated today.

"May his example give you strength, dear youth, to give witness to the Gospel in every circumstance of life," the Holy Father said. "May he help you, dear sick people, to offer your daily suffering so that the civilization of love can be built up in the world."May he support you, dear newlyweds, to construct your families on the solid foundation of intimate union with God."

Piergiorgio was the son of Alfredo Frassati, founder and direction of La Stampa, still one of the most notorious Italian newspapers.

Pope John Paul II said that as a young person, the example and testimony of Piergiorgio Frasati was an inspiration for him. That Pope beatified the youth on May 20, 1990.