Monday, November 6, 2000

AUDIENCE WITH THOUSANDS OF PILGRIMS FROM MILAN AND VENICE


VATICAN CITY, NOV 4, 2000 (VIS) - In St. Peter's Square today, the Pope received thousands of pilgrims from the archdiocese of Milan who had earlier participated in a Mass in the Ambrosian rite celebrated by their archbishop, Cardinal Carlo Maria Martini, S.J. He also received a group of faithful from the patriarchate of Venice, led by Cardinal Mario Ce.

The Holy Father called on the Milanese pilgrims to rediscover "day after day, the merciful love that God holds for each human being; in the drive of renewed alliance with Christ, feel yourselves to be ever more united to your fellows, especially the most needy. ... There are many challenges that you must face in this important change of an epoch!"

He told the Church in Milan: "Do not be afraid in the face of the great challenges of the present time! Proceed with faith along the path of the new evangelization, in the loving service of the poor and in Christian witness in all situations."

John Paul II asked the faithful from the patriarchate of Venice to be, following the example of their patron St. Mark, "apostles of the Gospel. Spread the Good News everywhere through a constant witness of fraternal charity and solicitude for the most needy of our fellows. Openness to other people's necessities is an eloquent sign of that evangelical charity that even touches the heart of those who do not believe."

AC;PILGRIMAGE MILAN; VENICE;...;MARTINI; CE;VIS;20001106;Word: 250;

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