MEETING OF POPE WITH YOUTH OF UNIV CONFERENCE

VATICAN CITY, APR 9, 2001 (VIS) - This morning John Paul II received 4,000 students from the University Conference (UNIV) meeting in Rome, as is their yearly tradition, to celebrate Holy Week and discuss the theme: "A Human Face for a Global World."

"This subject," the Pope said, "allows you to compare experiences and proposals regarding globalization, a phenomenon destined to characterize society ever more in the future. ... It cannot be the economy which dictates the models and rhythms of development and, while right to provide for material necessities, the values of the spirit must, however, never be suffocated. The true must prevail over the useful, the good over comfort, freedom over fashions, the person over structure."

"On the other hand," the Holy Father continued, "it is not enough to criticize; we need to go further: it is necessary to be builders. The Christian, in fact, cannot limit himself to analyzing the historical processes in course, maintaining a passive attitude. ... It is a part of Christian realism to understand that great social changes are the fruit of small and courageous daily choices. ... Blessed Josemaria, whose spirituality inspires you, wrote: 'Among those around you - apostolic soul - you are the stone fallen into the lake. With your word and your example you produce a first circle ... and it another ... and another, and another ... Wider each time. Now do you understand the greatness of your mission?'.

"In today's society," the Pope concluded, "which pursues the optimization of production, a process of uniformity is cautioned against, which places in peril personal freedoms and national cultures themselves. How should we react? The social doctrine of the Church contains the principles of a response which respects the role of individuals and groups. But to promote a global culture of these moral absolutes which are the rights of the person, it is necessary that each Christian begins from himself, striving to reflect the image of Christ in all of his thoughts and acts."

AC;GLOBALIZATION;...;UNIV;VIS;20010409;Word: 330;