POPE LAUDS KOREAN LEADERS FOR UPCOMING MEETING

VATICAN CITY, JUN 11, 2000 (VIS) - Today, before praying the Regina Coeli with the faithful who had gathered in St. Peter's Square, the Pope reflected on Pentecost, on today's Jubilee celebration dedicated to reflection on the duties of Catholics towards others, and on the forthcoming meeting in Pyongyang of leaders of North and South Korea.

He said that today's celebration of the solemnity of Pentecost recalls the day 2000 years ago in the Cenacle in Jerusalem when "the Church was born, one, holy catholic and apostolic. One, because from the Spirit the Church became the mystery of communion, an icon on earth of the Most Holy Trinity; holy, because the Spirit is the guardian of the holiness of Christ the head in the members; catholic, because the Spirit exhorts it to announce to all peoples the one Gospel of salvation; apostolic, because through the ministry of the Apostles and their successors, the Spirit guides it on the paths of history."

"In the light of this feast," John Paul II continued, "today's Jubilee day takes on special meaning, (as it is) dedicated to reflection on the duties of Catholics towards others: proclaiming Christ, witnessing and dialogue. Promoted by the Pontifical Council for Inter-Religious Dialogue, this celebration invites every baptized person and every ecclesial community to meditate on how to commit themselves ever more to proclaiming and witnessing to Christ to everyone, in respect for the diverse religious confessions. It is ever more important for every man and woman of good will to build a more just and fraternal world."

In concluding remarks before reciting the Regina Coeli, the Holy Father noted that "in coming days a meeting of historic significance will take place between the leaders of North and South Korea, in Pyongyang, in the Peoples' Democratic Republic of Korea. I join all persons of good will in congratulating the leaders of the two countries for this initiative, in the hope that the dialogue and the exchanges might contribute to the reconciliation of the two peoples, to the reunion of families which have now been separated for a half a century and to renewed stability and prosperity for the entire Korean peninsula. Only through a generous commitment will it be possible to overcome the difficulties and reach a positive result, which would be a motive of joyous hope for mankind."

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