MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING: THE PRIVILEGED WAY TO PEACE

VATICAN CITY, DEC 22, 2001 (VIS) - This morning the Holy Father received cardinals, members of the pontifical family and the Roman Curia for the traditional exchange of Christmas greetings. The Holy Father thanked them for their generous assistance to the Apostolic See and spoke of some of the events of the last 12 months.

John Paul II began by recalling, "first of all and with great emotion, the morning of Epiphany" when he signed the Apostolic Letter, "Novo millennio ineunte." Moreover, he said, "the Lord allowed me to complete the 'Jubilee pilgrimage' to the places linked to the history of Salvation:" Athens, Damascus and Malta. During the visit to Kazakhstan in September, "I again invited the followers of all religions to repudiate violence so as to contribute towards making humankind lovers of life and seekers after justice and solidarity." In Armenia, "I was deeply moved by the exquisite courtesy of His Holiness Catholicos Karekin II."

The Pope referred to "the beloved Chinese people ... in the recent commemoration of the 400th anniversary of the arrival in Beijing of Fr. Matteo Ricci, the famous son of the Company of Jesus.

"Without overlooking the difficulties and suffering that at times mark the journey, I here reaffirm my profound conviction that the path of mutual understanding and, where possible, of common prayer is the privileged way to agreement, solidarity and peace."

The Holy Father emphasized the fact that "the shadow of the tragic terrorist attack on New York, of the war in Afghanistan and of the increased tension in the Holy Land has darkened the last months of the year. Faced with this situation, the disciples of Christ, Prince of Peace, are called to constantly proclaim that all forms of terrorist violence dishonor the sanctity of God and the dignity of man, and that religion can never be a reason for bellicose aggression, hate and abuse. I renew my urgent invitation to all men and women of good will to spare no efforts in seeking equitable solutions to the many conflicts that torment the world and in guaranteeing a peaceful present and future for everyone."

After recalling that on January 24 2001, representatives of the world's religions will meet in Assisi, Italy, in order to pray "that difficulties be overcome and authentic peace promoted," he exclaimed: "I thank all those who, in the various regions of the earth, will join in this penitential exercise. The fruit of their sacrifice will serve to alleviate the suffering of so many innocent brothers and sisters, tried by pain!"

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