POPE, WORLD RELIGIOUS LEADERS GATHER IN ST. PETER'S SQUARE

VATICAN CITY, OCT 29, 1999 (VIS) - Last evening in St. Peter's Square, on the fourth and final day of the Inter-religious assembly which has been meeting in the Vatican, Pope John Paul addressed the "many esteemed religious leaders who have travelled long distances to be present at this concluding ceremony," greeting them with "joy" and "in the peace which the world cannot give."

"I have always believed that religious leaders have a vital role to play in nurturing that hope of justice and peace without which there will be no future worthy of humanity," he told the participants in this meeting convened by the Pontifical Council for Inter-religious Dialogue.

"As we survey the situation of humanity," the Holy Father observed, "is it too much to speak of 'a crisis of civilization'? We see great technological advances, but these are not always accompanied by great spiritual and moral progress. We see as well a growing gap between the rich and the poor. ... Many people make great sacrifices to show solidarity with those suffering want or hunger or disease, but there still is lacking the collective will to overcome scandalous inequalities. ... Then there are the many conflicts continually breaking out around the world."

"Surely," he underscored, "this is not the way humanity is supposed to live."

He remarked that "there are some who claim that religion is part of the problem, blocking humanity's way to true peace and prosperity. As religious people it is our duty to demonstrate that this is not the case. Any use of religion to support violence is an abuse of religion. Religion is not, and must not become, a pretext for conflict, particularly when religious, cultural and ethnic identity coincide."

John Paul II affirmed that "the task before us to promote a culture of dialogue," must not only be taught, but also "translated into action."

"It is a sign of hope," he said, "that in many parts of the world inter-religious associations have been established to promote joint reflection and action." And he cited efforts by such groups to mediate between warring parties, "to protect the unborn, to uphold the rights of women and children, and to defend the innocent."

Pope John Paul closed by recalling the journey to Assisi thirteen years ago by world religious leaders for the World Day of Prayer for Peace. "Since that time," he stressed, "the 'spirit of Assisi' has been kept alive through various initiatives in different parts of the world. ... Our gathering today in St. Peter's Square is another step on that journey."

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