GROW IN UNITY WITH CHRISTIANS AND NON-CHRISTIANS

VATICAN CITY, JAN 17, 1999 (VIS) - John Paul II this morning celebrated Mass in the Roman parish of St. Liborio. In his homily he called on the faithful to walk united "in the spiritual and ecclesial itinerary towards the third Christian millennium. Walk full of trust and missionary zeal, following (in the footsteps of) St. Liborio and your patron saints."

The Pope expressed his joy at being able to inaugurate a parish initiative which counts on the aid of the diocesan branch of Caritas, so as "to put the precious professional ability at the service of the most needy." He added: "Continue planning and carrying out other charitable activities, fearlessly proclaiming the Gospel."

"Dedicate yourselves with all your energy to the Citizens' Mission which this year, continuing and incorporating itself in the commitment to families, is oriented towards the workplace and professional activity," said the Holy Father. "Open to dialogue, be prepared to see all opportunities to grow in fraternity with Christians and non-Christians, with believers from other religions and non-believers."

After Mass, meeting children from the parish, John Paul II asked them if they knew how old he would be in the year 2000. When one of the children had guessed it, the Pope answered: "It's true, the Pope was born in 1920, and God willing, he will be 80 in the year 2000. I give thanks to God for all the graces which he has given us in life: for short lives and for those which are longer, like those which last 80 years. I would ask you to pray for me, because an elderly man has more need of the help of young people."

HML;...;...;ST LIBORIO;VIS;19990118;Word: 280;