ANGELUS REFLECTIONS, VISIT TO THE VATICAN GROTTOES

VATICAN CITY, NOV 1, 2000 (VIS) - At the end of Mass in St. Peter's Square this morning, marking the solemnity of All Saints and the 50th anniversary of the dogmatic definition of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Pope addressed the faithful in the square before praying the angelus with them. Today also marks the 54th anniversary of the priestly ordination of the Holy Father.

"Today's feast," he said, "reminds us that we are made for heaven, where Our Lady already is and where she awaits us. Christian life is walking here on earth with our hearts turned towards heaven, towards the house of the heavenly Father. Thus walked the saints and thus, in the first place, walked Mary, the Mother of the Lord. The Jubilee reminds us of this essential dimension of sanctity; the condition of pilgrims who seek every day the Kingdom of God, trusting in Divine Providence. This is authentic Christian hope, which has nothing to do with fatalism or with fleeing from history."

John Paul II then pointed out that "tomorrow, we celebrate the commemoration of all the faithful departed. We will spiritually visit the tombs of our dear ones, who preceded us marked by the sign of faith and who await the support of our prayers. I assure a place in my prayers for all those who, in the course of the year, lost their lives; I am especially thinking of the victims of human violence; may each one find in the bosom of God the hoped-for peace."

At 6 this evening the Holy Father went down into the Vatican Grottoes for a moment of prayer for the repose of the souls of the Popes who are buried there, and for all the faithful departed.

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