POPE GIVES THANKS FOR THE YEAR'S END

VATICAN CITY, DEC 31, 1999 (VIS) - Today in the Vatican Basilica, John Paul II presided at the vespers of the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God and the "Te Deum" of thanksgiving for the end of the year.

In his homily, the Holy Father referred to the relentless course of time and the passing of the days, a reality that is part of each human being's personal history. "Conscious of its own transience, humanity writes its history: the history of individuals, of States and of continents, the history of cultures and of religions."

The Pope said that without doubt the discovery of America constitutes a significant element when evaluating the millennium that is now coming to a close. As regards this century, he highlighted the fact that it has suffered "two oppressive ideologies, responsible for innumerable victims. ... What suffering and what drama! But also, what exalted achievements!"

"With the Incarnation of the Son of God," said the Holy Father, "eternity entered into time, and man's history was opened to the possibility of transcendent fulfillment in the absoluteness of God. Man is thus offered the incredible prospect of aspiring to be a son in the Son, to inherit with Him the same glorious destiny. Consequently, the pilgrimage of earthly life is a path that we travel in God's time. The destiny is God Himself, fullness of time in eternity."

The Pope gave thanks for the constant advances in the spiritual world, for the saints of this millennium and for all humanity's attainments and progress in the scientific, technical, artistic and cultural fields.

In closing, the Pope made reference to the development of the "Citizens' Mission" in the diocese of Rome: "In the new century, may this special pastoral experience become a model for the life and pastoral action of the Church, both in Rome and in many other cities and areas throughout the world, at the service of the new evangelization."

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