Pope urges: 'Be like Joan of Arc'

Pope Benedict XVI has said that public officials would do well to model themselves on Joan of Arc, the French saint who was tried for heresy and burned at the stake for her convictions.

The Pope highlighted the life of the 15th century mystic in his weekly general audience yesterday. For several months he has used his Wednesday catechisms to promote an important woman in the church's history.

Joan of Arc led the French to several victories over the English during the Hundred Years War. She had said she heard voices from a trio of saints telling her to deliver France from the English. She was tried for heresy and witchcraft and burned at the stake in 1431, though her conviction was later annulled. She was canonised in 1920 by Pope Benedict XV.

"Hers is a beautiful example of holiness for lay people working in public life, particularly during the most difficult situations," the Pope said yesterday.

He said her heresy trial was a "upsetting page" in the Church's history, due to French churchmen "who had made different political choices" than she.

"May the prayers and example of Joan of Arc inspire many lay men and women to devote themselves to public life in the service of God's Kingdom, and encourage all of us to live to the fullest our lofty calling in Christ," he said.