THE JUBILEE: AN OCCASION TO REDISCOVER THE LOVE OF GOD

VATICAN CITY, JUN 17, 2000 (VIS) - This morning in the Paul VI Hall, the Holy Father received 1,100 pilgrims from Italy and other countries who have come to Rome for the Jubilee.

Speaking French to participants in a meeting of the world organization of former pupils of Catholic schools, he requested that their own children and the youth of today may benefit from the same intellectual, human and moral formation that they had received because, "they must learn, from the older generations, the points of reference in order for their lives to be beautiful and full of hope."

To a group of faithful from various Italian parishes, John Paul II expressed the hope that "the marvelous days of your jubilee pilgrimage that have brought you to meet Christ, ... may constitute for each of you a joyful occasion to rediscover God's love and a renewed experience of your belonging to His great family that is the Church."

The Pope also greeted members of the military academy of the Ecuadorian ministry of defense. Speaking to them in Spanish, he said "to cross the Holy Door is to demonstrate the will to approach God and, consequently, to live in accordance with the teaching of the Gospel. May this gesture, accompanied by works of piety and charity, bring you the grace necessary to carry out your family and professional duties, giving witness of your union with Christ and your belonging to His Church."

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