THE WORLD NEEDS WITNESSES TO THE GOSPEL OF CHARITY

VATICAN CITY, APR 25, 1999 (VIS) - Today, after praying the Regina Coeli, John Paul II told the faithful in St. Peter's Square that "in the face of the great sufferings in today's world, and in particular those caused by war, it is more than ever necessary to spread and witness to, in a concrete way, the Gospel of Charity."

"We can place within this context," he went on, "the meeting promoted by the Pontifical Council 'Cor Unum', at which I will have the joy of presiding on Sunday, May 16. Numerous witnesses to charity will take part in this, and I will celebrate a solemn mass for them in St. Peter's Square. It will be a meaningful occasion to express the Church's encouragement for all those who devote themselves to their brothers and sisters in difficulty and who work to build a future of true peace in a society which is more fraternal and marked by greater solidarity."

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