VATICAN CITY, NOV 1, 2001 (VIS) - Today at noon, Pope John Paul appeared at his study window overlooking St. Peter's Square to pray the Angelus with the pilgrims gathered below. Before the prayer, he reflected on the solemnity of All Saints, and said that as we celebrate this occasion today "we remember all those who gave witness to Christ during their earthly life, making efforts to put His teachings into practice."
"We rejoice with these our brothers and sisters who preceded us ... in the glories of heaven, enjoying the well-deserved prize," said the Pope. "They knew how to go against the current, welcoming the 'Sermon on the Mount' as an inspirational norm for their lives: poverty of spirit and simplicity of life; meekness and non-violence; repentance for their own sins and expiation for the sins of others; hunger and thirst for justice; mercy and compassion; purity of heart; a commitment to peace; sacrifice for justice."
The Holy Father added that "Every Christian is called to holiness, that is, to live the Beatitudes. As examples for everyone the Church points to these brothers and sisters who distinguished themselves through their virtue and who were instruments of divine grace."
He also pointed out that tomorrow the Church celebrates All Souls Day, "A day of prayer and profound reflection on the mystery of life and death."
In remarks following the Angelus, John Paul II announced: "This evening I will go down to the Vatican Grottoes to pray at the tombs of my predecessors who are buried there. Spiritually I will be making a pilgrimage of all cemeteries in the world where those who preceded us sleep in the sign of faith and await the day of resurrection."
"In particular," he concluded, "I will pray for the repose of the souls of the many victims of violence, above all in recent times, as I will also remember in a special way those who sacrificed their lives to be faithful to Christ right up to the end."
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