First floor: The Pontificate

At the conclusion of the visit to the house, one enters the room where Giovanni Battista Montini was born on September 26, 1897.One of the most beautiful titles that can be attributed to Pope Paul VI is "Defender of the Family and Life." He clearly saw the issues related to the growing culture of death. His prophetic encyclical "Humanae Vitae" on the dangers of artificial birth control reminds us of the value of human life that cannot be manipulated. The miracles that paved the way for his beatification and canonization are centered on Life. He still tells us today that God protects us from the moment of our conception, from our mother's womb. Let's allow Paul VI to express his feelings about life, remembering some phrases from his spiritual testament (June 30, 1965):"Lord, I thank You for calling me to life, and even more so for making me a Christian, regenerating me and destined me for the fullness of life. Similarly, I feel the duty to thank and bless those who were instrumental in bestowing upon me the gifts of life, granted by You, O Lord: those who introduced me to life (oh! blessed be my most worthy Parents!), those who educated me, welcomed me, benefited me, helped me, surrounded me with good examples, care, affection, trust, kindness, courtesy, friendship, loyalty, and respect.""I look with gratitude at the natural and spiritual relationships that have given rise to, supported, comforted, and given meaning to my humble existence: how many gifts, how many beautiful and lofty things, how much hope have I received in this world!"