VATICAN CITY, MAR 20, 2001 (VIS) - Fifty members of an expedition to the North Pole were welcomed by Pope John Paul this morning who, following his greetings and best wishes to them, blessed a Cross that they will plant at the pole.
The Pope recalled that this expedition takes place 100 years after one led by Prince Luigi Amedeo di Savoia Aosta in which "a young mountain climbing priest, Achille Ratti, the future Pius XI, was to have taken part but who was unable to go because of unexpected circumstances that arose just before the departure."
He told the members of this expedition that they are about "to offer a witness to the ever-present longing in man to know the unexplored pages of the marvelous book of creation" and to share in the marvel of the psalmist who exclaimed: 'O Lord, our God, how great is your name on all the earth'."
"God willing," observed John Paul II, "you will reach the North Pole on Easter Sunday where you will be able to celebrate Mass." This was a dream of Pius XI's, he added, "as was the dream to plant a Cross on this extreme frontier of the earth."
"By planting the cross and celebrating Mass at the 'confines of the earth'," he concluded, "you intend to recall that mankind finds its authentic dimension only when it is capable of fixing its gaze on Christ and totally entrusting itself to Him."
Msgr. Liberio Andreatta of the Opera Romana Pellegrinaggi will be the first priest ever to reach the North Pole and to celebrate a Mass there. The two-meter high Cross which the expedition will bring depicts Christ crucified. Underneath is John Paul II with his hands extended to mankind, inviting them to welcome Christ.
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