JOHN PAUL II INVITES REDISCOVERY OF THE JOY OF FORGIVENESS

VATICAN CITY, SEP 16, 2001 (VIS) - At 9:30 this morning, John Paul II travelled by helicopter from Castelgandolfo to the diocese of Frosinone, southeast of Rome, for his 140th pastoral visit within Italy. Before an estimated 40,000 people, he presided over Mass at 10:30, followed by the recitation of the Angelus.

"The joy of forgiveness: behold the 'good news' which today the liturgy makes resound with vigor among us," John Paul said at the beginning of his homily. "Forgiveness is the joy of God, even before it is the joy of man. ... The commitment, initiative, and work of each and every community must become a Gospel witness, rooted in the joyful experience of the love and forgiveness of God."

The Holy Father emphasized that "it is urgent, in these times, to proclaim Christ, Redeemer of man, in order that His love be known by all and spread in every direction." To the diocese of Frosinone-Veroli-Ferentino he renewed Christ's invitation to Peter: "'Duc in altum' - Put out into the deep" in order that "it be a guide to you in a courageous spiritual renewal, translated into concrete pastoral planning. Build your present and your future keeping your gaze fixed on Jesus. He is everything: everything for the Church, everything for the salvation of man."

"May strong moments of study and reflection on the Word of God be multiplied in the parish communities. ... May the Eucharist be the heart and guide of your spiritual and apostolic itinerary."

The Pope concluded his homily recalling that Sunday, October 21, he will beatify a Roman married couple: Luigi and Maria Beltrame Quattrocchi. The beatification will be celebrated in the milieux of the National Meeting of Families, organized by the Italian Episcopal Conference, which will take place in Rome. "It will be an occasion to reflect on the vocation to sanctity of Christian families and, at the same time, to gain a greater awareness of the social role of the family and to ask institutions to defend and promote it with suitable norms and laws."

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