VITALITY OF VOLUNTEER WORK IS PROMISING SIGN OF HOPE

VATICAN CITY, DEC 1, 2001 (VIS) - This morning, in the Paul VI Hall, John Paul II received the 6,000 participants of the International Symposium on "Catholic Volunteer Work in Health Care," promoted by the Pontifical Council for Health Care Ministry, and the 30 participants of the International Meeting on the Pastoral Care of Gypsies.

"In a society influenced by materialism and hedonism, the vitality of volunteer work constitutes a promising sign of hope. The work of volunteers highlights the value of solidarity, an irreplaceable contribution for responding to the profound expectations of the person and for resolving the grave and urgent problems of humanity."

John Paul II affirmed that in our modern society, although institutions exist to assist the needs of the poor and the suffering, "there is a strongly felt need for a 'soul supplement' which gives hope even to the bitter experience of suffering and uncertainty, fully respecting the dignity of every human being."

The Pope invited the volunteers, who work with volunteers of different religions and non-believers, to consider providential the opportunity "to put into effect interreligious and intercultural dialogue and collaboration. The defence and the promotion of life are not, in fact, anyone's monopoly; they constitute rather a task entrusted to all."

After recalling that the "World Day of the Fight Against AIDS" is celebrated today, the Holy Father encouraged those with this disease, saying, "Do not feel alone! The Pope is close to you with affection and supports you in your difficult journey. The Church supports the men of science, and encourages all of them to work untiringly to cure and to defeat this serious form of illness."

John Paul II concluded his discourse with a brief greeting to the participants in the International Study Meeting of National Directors and Experts in the Pastoral Care of Gypsies, promoted by the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant Peoples.

The Holy Father affirmed that in devising the principles of pastoral care for gypsies, it is necessary "to give needed attention to spiritual and cultural values," and to offer assistance in the confrontation of problems. "I think, for example, of the difficulty of reciprocal comprehension with the surrounding milieu, of the lack of adequate structures of welcome, of education, and of integration in the territory."

AC;VOLUNTEER WORK; GYPSIES;...;...;VIS;20011203;Word: 390;