"We need but think of the remarkable accomplishment of that exemplary American priest, the Venerable Michael McGivney, whose vision and zeal led to the establishment of the Knights of Columbus, or of the legacy of the generations of religious and priests who quietly devoted their lives to serving the People of God in countless schools, hospitals and parishes," Pope Benedict said.

The Mass had hardly finished when Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson issued a press release.

"The Pope's selection of Fr. McGivney as a role model for today's priests and religious is very important for us," Anderson said. "Each and every day, all of us in the Knights of Columbus look to Fr. McGivney's vision and example as a guide to our work of charity and evangelization. At a time when our priests are in need of our support more than ever, the Pope's promotion of Fr. McGivney as a role model for clergy everywhere is both timely and enormously appreciated."