AUDIENCE WITH ITALIAN AND UKRAINIAN PILGRIMS

VATICAN CITY, MAY 27, 2000 (VIS) - In St. Peter's Square at midday today, the Pope received 10,000 pilgrims from the Italian diocese of Pozzuoli and from various Italian parishes, as well as a group from the Ukrainian armed forces.

The Holy Father told the faithful from Pozzuoli that "a sense of hospitality, a willingness to seriously face the Gospel and thoughtful cordiality in attending to those in need, are all values that are part of your heritage and that you must also cultivate as an essential element of your union with Christ."

"Faithful to the Gospel, your people have, in these last two millennia, conserved their faith and their bond of communion with the head of the apostolic college. Nothing has ever weakened this faithfulness, neither difficulty nor suffering, neither obstacles nor the natural disasters - volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, seismic activity - that have affected your land."

Referring to evangelization, John Paul II indicated that, in order for the announcement of Christ to have a profound impact, "all apostolic initiatives must be accompanied by unceasing human promotion" and by prayer.

Then, turning to a group of parishioners, the Pope emphasized his desire that "the providential period of the Holy Year be a strong call to render yourselves instruments of the grace of the Lord, Who brings salvation and renewal to those who are humble of spirit and open to truth."

Speaking Ukrainian to members of the armed forces of the Ukraine, who have come to Rome for the occasion of their Jubilee, he said: "Your Jubilee itinerary, which began at the foot of the grotto of Lourdes, today brings you to the tombs of the Apostles. Dear friends, from this reflective and prayerful pause draw the strength and courage to remain faithful to the Gospel and, in Christ's name, become true servants of justice and peace."

AC;...;...;...;VIS;20000529;Word: 310;