POPE WELCOMES 24,000 PILGRIMS IN ST. PETER'S SQUARE

VATICAN CITY, APR 29, 2000 (VIS) - This morning in St. Peter's Square, the Holy Father welcomed 24,000 pilgrims from various countries and had special words of welcome for the diverse groups which included diocesan pilgrimages, seminarians, university students and teachers and blood donors.

"Proceed with fervor on the Holy Year itinerary," he told the 4,200 faithful from the Italian diocese of Avellino, "and intensify the initiatives of evangelization and charity undertaken by your diocese. ... May families be temples of life and love; may parishes become open and welcoming places where prayer, reciprocal respect and solidarity constitute the style and dynamism of pastoral activity. The entire diocese will thus become the privileged place of human and spiritual maturing for little ones and for adults, for young people and for the elderly."

Pope John Paul then greeted the staff and students of the Pontifical Lateran University and of other academic institutions linked to it, welcoming in particular students from St. Petersburg, Alba Iulia and Iasi, Gyor, Denver and Washington.

He told them that "the international character of your academic institutions is not enough to make them centers of new culture and civilization. You must pursue, in all Lateran centers, unity of research, teaching and study, building a vital community between teachers and students. It is also important to overcome all false opposition between Christian commitment and university work, through an unconditional opening to the action of the Spirit of truth, Who is always the Spirit of authentic unity."

Turning then to the 18,000 members of the Italian association, "Misericordie d'Italia," and of the Fratres blood donors, the Pope told them of his "appreciation for your discreet and generous action. ... A particular expression of your zeal has been your active presence in Kosovo, your commitment to building the diocesan missionary center in Taiwan and the much-appreciated gift of two ambulances which you give me today."

He concluded this morning's audience with Jubilee pilgrims with brief remarks to other groups and individuals in German, Spanish and Italian.

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