AUDIENCE: THE GLORY OF THE TRINITY IN THE HEAVENLY JERUSALEM

VATICAN CITY, JUN 28, 2000 (VIS) - "The glory of the Trinity in the heavenly Jerusalem" was the theme of the Pope's catechesis during the general audience, held this morning in St. Peter's Square in the presence of 30,000 pilgrims.

"In the new creation," said the Holy Father, "God will grant us the gift of the perfect and intimate communion with Him that the fourth Gospel calls 'eternal life'; a source of 'knowledge' that in biblical language is communion of love."

John Paul II recalled that "it is, above all, the last pages of the Bible - the glorious concluding vision of the Apocalypse - that reveal to us the city that is the final goal of our pilgrimage: the heavenly Jerusalem. There we will first of all meet the Father. ... He will show Himself in fullness like the Emmanuel, God with us, wiping away tears and mourning and renewing all things. However, at the center of that city, the Lamb will also arise, Christ, to whom the Church is linked in matrimony. ... The Holy Spirit impels us towards that city."

"For this meeting," he continued, "we pray every day for the grace of continual purification. ... Consequently, we turn now to Christ so that, through the Holy Spirit, He may help us to present ourselves pure before the Father."

Quoting St. Paul's Letter to the Romans, the Pope indicated that "together with us, 'the creation (also) waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God ... in hope; because the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and obtain the glorious liberty of the children of God.' The Apocalypse announces 'a new heaven and a new earth' because the first heaven and first earth will disappear." He concluded by affirming that "in anticipation of harmony and full praise, all creation must now join with man in singing a hymn of joy and hope."

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ECUMENICAL DELEGATION FOR THE FEAST OF STS. PETER AND PAUL

VATICAN CITY, JUN 28, 2000 (VIS) - The delegation traditionally sent to Rome by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople for the June 29 celebration of the feast of Sts. Peter and Paul, Apostles, is led this year by Metropolitan Athanasios of Helioupolis and Thiera. He will be accompanied by Archbishop Vsevolod of Skopelos of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in America, which is dependent on the Ecumenical Patriarchate, and by Archdeacon Tarasios of Fanar.

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APPEAL AGAINST ANTI-CHRISTIAN VIOLENCE IN INDIA AND INDONESIA

VATICAN CITY, JUN 28, 2000 (VIS) - At the end of today's general audience, held in St. Peter's Square, the Pope made an appeal for an end to violence against Christians in India and Indonesia:

"Unfortunately, the wave of ethnic-religious disorder that has swept Indonesia's Molucca Islands since January 1999 shows no sign of abating. The repeated armed and bloody attacks of Muslim extremists against Christian villages are provoking numerous victims and limitless ruin.

"Equally worrying news is coming from India where, recently, multiple acts of aggression have been perpetrated against Christian communities and other minorities; 'the worst,' say the bishops, 'since independence.'

"I renew my heartfelt appeal for an end to such brutal violence. I dare to hope that those who carry out and instigate such acts may understand that one cannot kill and destroy in the name of religion, or manipulate religion in accordance with personal interests. I ask the authorities to make every effort to improve the situation. I also request that everyone lay aside hatred and work tirelessly to re-establish religious harmony in mutual respect and love. I invite those of you present here to pray with faith for these intentions."

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AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, JUN 28, 2000 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in audience:

- Cardinal Jan P. Schotte C.I.C.M., secretary general of the Synod of Bishops.
- Archbishop Augustine Kasujja, apostolic nuncio in Algeria and Tunisia.

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