VATICAN CITY, SEP 22, 1999 (VIS) - At the end of today's general audience, the Pope welcomed with "joy three young people from the Middle East, representing the Israeli and Palestinian peoples, and belonging to the three monotheistic religions of the region."
To the youth who presented him with a Calendar of Peace, bearing the signatures of men and women of note who are seeking to build peace in the world, John Paul II said: "To this representative group I will present a personal written message which, I hope, will encourage the efforts being made by young people in the Middle East to build a society where peace and harmony among all peoples and the followers of different religions will reign supreme. This is our prayer for the entire region, so dear to all the children of Abraham."
In his English-language Message for peace, made public this morning, the Pope addresses the young Israelis and Palestinians: "A few weeks ago, the voice of hope and satisfaction was heard around the world when your leaders signed an historic peace accord. Now people everywhere look to this agreement in trust and expectation, hoping that it will grow ever stronger and lead to an effective and lasting peace.
"You young people, and all those whom you represent," he continues, "must be the first to realize the hopes of your peoples and of the world at large. ... At the threshold of the third millennium, you must come to see more clearly that the future of peace, and therefore the future of all humanity, depends on the fundamental choices which your generation will make. ... It is a moral imperative that you help to construct a new society."
"Do not be afraid of the challenge which awaits you: your hope and your youthfulness will stand by you in this exacting task. But you will be able to accomplish it only if you can instill in your own hearts that peace which you plan to bring to your peoples and to the world - no longer a peace based solely on accords and agreements, however noble and necessary they may be, but a peace born from within each person."
The Message closes: "You know that, if God wills, I plan to go to the Holy Land on a pilgrimage tracing the stages of the history of salvation. God willing, therefore, we shall have the chance to meet again on your own soil."
AG;PEACE; YOUTH;...;MIDDLE EAST ;VIS;19990922;Word: 400;
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