JOHN PAUL II EXPRESSES JOY FOR HIS VISIT TO THE HOLY LAND

VATICAN CITY, APR 2, 2000 (VIS) - Prior to praying the angelus at midday today, the Pope reminded the 50,000 pilgrims who filled St. Peter's Square that this Sunday, known as 'de laetare,' is an invitation to happiness.

"Over the past days," said the Pope, "I too have experienced the joy of being a pilgrim from Rome to the Holy Land, thus building a bridge between the two focal points of the Great Jubilee 2000: Rome and Jerusalem. The spiritual joy I carry in my heart as a result of this grace is truly deep and something for which I continually thank the Lord. I am also grateful to all those who have accompanied me in prayer. In those moments, in those places, I felt that the whole Church was present with me."

John Paul II confirmed that "this joy, of which the liturgy for this fourth Sunday of Lent speaks, derives from knowledge of the mystery of love that faces us, and that today echoes in the words of the Gospel according to John: 'For God so loved the world that he gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.' How can we not feel drawn by this love? God does not want the sinner to die, rather to convert and to live."
Following the angelus, the Pope greeted many of the pilgrims present, especially a group of faithful from the Czech Republic. He said: "I am happy to see, for the first time in many decades, thousands of faithful from the land of the Czechs, led by their bishops. ... I thank you for your presence and hope you return to your homes enriched in faith and Christian hope. I give you my heartfelt blessing."

ANG;JOY;...;...;VIS;20000403;Word: 300;