THE RICH MUST HEED THE CRY OF THE POOR

VATICAN CITY, JUL 8, 2001 (VIS) - This morning, before the recitation of the Angelus with the faithful gathered in St. Peter's Square, the Pope asked "the richest and most technologically advanced nations ... to listen to the cry of the many poor peoples of the world: they ask, simply, that which is their sacrosanct right."

The Holy Father's words are framed in the context of the upcoming summit of heads of State and Government in Genoa, Italy, from July 20 to 22. He asked Christians for "a special prayer" for these leaders, exhorting them "to work together to build a world more united in justice and solidarity. Christians must prepare themselves for this task with a strong moral and spiritual education, with a deepened knowledge of the social doctrine of the Church and with a great love for Jesus Christ, Redeemer of every man and of all humanity."

John Paul II said his "thoughts today turn to the participants in the national meeting of various Catholic associations taking place today in Genoa, in view of the upcoming summit of heads of State and Government." He also said, "I unite myself to the bishops of the Liguria region, who, in the recent Letter sent to the faithful of their Churches, express the urgency to 'reawaken in everyone, beginning with those in charge of public administration, the thrust to a new 'morality' in the face of serious and at times dramatic economic-financial, health-care related, social, cultural, environmental, and political problems'.

"In reality," he continued, "faith cannot leave the Christian indifferent before similar questions of worldwide relevance. It spurs him to question, with an appropriate spirit, those in charge of politics and the economy, asking that the current process of globalization be strongly governed by the motives of the well-being of the citizens of the entire world, on the basis of the irrefutable demands of justice and solidarity."

After greeting the pilgrims present in various languages, John Paul II noted that tomorrow he will travel to the northern Italian region of Valle d'Aosta, "to spend some time in those beloved mountains. I will remember everyone in my prayers, especially those sick or alone. I hope that everyone can enjoy some well-deserved rest during the summer, even those who, for various reasons, do not leave their cities and countries."

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