ANGELUS: INCREASED UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN CHRISTIANS AND MUSLIMS

VATICAN CITY, DEC 9, 2001 (VIS) - John Paul II prayed the Angelus at noon today with the many faithful gathered in St. Peter's Square.

Before the recitation of the Marian prayer, the Pope recalled the upcoming day of fasting and prayer for peace on December 14. "This initiative," the Pope said, "has met with approval also from the faithful of other religions, in particular Hebrews and Muslims, as well as many people of good will." He then emphasized that in the current complex international situation "humanity is called to mobilize its best energies, in order that love prevail over hatred, and peace over war."

"Fasting," the Holy Father explained, "expresses sorrow for a serious misfortune, but also the desire to assume responsibility for it in some way, confessing our sins and committing ourselves to convert our hearts and actions to greater justice towards God and neighbor. ... Fasting allows us then to share our daily bread with those who lack it, beyond any pietism or false charity."

"The date of December 14 also coincides with the end of Ramadan, during which the followers of Islam express with fasting their submission to the One God. It is my heartfelt desire that the shared action of religious penance cause reciprocal understanding to increase between Christians and Muslims, called more than ever, in the current time, to together become the architects of justice and peace."

After reciting the Angelus, the Pope recalled that in the upcoming days, the representatives of 140 ratifying States will meet in Geneva to reaffirm the Convention of 1951 regarding the status of refugees, and the Protocol of 1967. "I hope that all nations implement legal protection for the unfortunately great number of individuals forced to flee their own countries, as well as for the so called 'internal refugees'. May shared commitment bring an end to the grave violations of human rights, which are at the origin of these forced movements."

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