LIVE THE JUBILEE AS A MOMENT OF CONVERSION AND RENEWAL

VATICAN CITY, NOV 25, 2000 (VIS) - This morning in St. Peter's Square, the Holy Father received various groups of pilgrims, encouraging them to live the Jubilee "as a moment of conversion and interior renewal."

Addressing a group of civil servants who work for the president of the Italian Republic, the council of ministers, the senate and the chamber of deputies, he called on then not to abandon themselves to "the routine" in their work. "Always look to the people, to their problems and their suffering, even when your only contact with them is through papers and figures, legal codes and dry regulations. Make your work a space for true humanity and an occasion for moral perfection. ... All work can be a path to sanctity."

"The virtues that must shine within you," continued the Pope, "without doubt include loyalty towards the institutions you are called to serve in full respect of the primacy of God: 'Render to Ceaser the things that are Ceaser's, and to God the things that are God's.' ... Christians must be firm witnesses of this principle, going as and when necessary 'against the current.' When this happens, they will find support in the strength of prayer."

Going on to address a group of transport workers, John Paul II encouraged them to make every effort to carry out their duty, despite the difficulties, "as a true act of love. ... Be, for the people you transport, 'cristofori,' carriers of Christ, He who wishes to be met and treated with love in each individual, especially the poorest."

Finally, the Pope greeted a group from the Italian press agency ANSA. He called on the Lord to illuminate them and help them to render the best possible service, something that today calls for special responsibility "because of the general conditions that prevail in the mass media and the influence, not infrequently excessive, exercised by the few major players who hold the power of information."

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