THIS IS A TIME OF HOPE IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA

VATICAN CITY, MAR 30, 2000 (VIS) - The Holy Father this morning welcomed 800 faithful from Bosnia-Herzegovina, who are in Rome on a Jubilee pilgrimage led by Cardinal Vinko Puljic, archbishop of Vrhbosna.

Addressiing them in their language, the Pope recalled his two-day pastoral visit in 1997 when he was able "to personally realize the great tragedy which struck you and other inhabitants over the last decade." He went on to say that "notwithstanding the numerous difficulties faced daily," and "the clouds on the horizon, ... this is a time of hope!" It is up to Christians, he added, to strengthen the promising social renewal "by bringing the seeds of new life contained in the Gospel."

"May your very lives say to everyone that you are Christians! Be the first to offer and welcome pardon, freeing memories from hatred, rancor and a desire for revenge, and recognizing as brothers those who harmed you. Don't let yourselves be won over by evil, but overcome evil with good."

John Paul II said he hoped that the celebration of the Great Jubilee "will bring abundant fruits of conversion and holiness in Catholic communities which live in your region." He urged them "to stay united among yourselves" in order to "rebuild in your land, together with your fellow citizens, a future of peace and hope."

"Bosnia-Herzegovina needs loyal dialogue and active cooperation by all its peoples, as well as respect for the rights and identity of every person and every single group. ... Authentic democracy ... cannot be imported or imposed. Its good functioning depends, in particular, on the measure in which the dignity of the person and the sacredness of human life are respected."

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