The Roman Catholic and the Orthodox Church recognize to the Mother of God a special form of veneration called with the Greek word "hyperdulia". It corresponds to a special power of intercession that the prayers dedicated to the Most Blessed Virgin Mary have in respect of any other saint praying God in favour of His sons and believers. The Pope stated that Mary prayed God and her prayer of intercession was capable to persuade God to send His Holy Spirit as a permanent gift for the Twelve and their successors forming the Apostolic Church.