ANGELUS: WORLD MISSION DAY OF CHILDHOOD

VATICAN CITY, JAN 6, 2002 (VIS) - Following this morning's mass during which he ordained ten new archbishops and bishops, John Paul II appeared at his study window to pray the angelus with the faithful gathered in St. Peter's Square.

The Pope recalled that Epiphany coincides with the World Mission Day of Childhood that has as its theme this year "kindle hope," and that invites "'boy and girl missionaries' to spread the light of solidarity, especially where the shadows of poverty, of pain and of war are particularly dense." John Paul II emphasized that the new bishops will also dedicate "all their energy" to the missionary task.

In closing, the Holy Father mentioned that "some Oriental Churches, such as the Russian Orthodox Church and the venerable Churches of the East such as the Coptic, Ethiopian and Armenian Churches celebrate the Nativity of Jesus Christ in these days. ... May the celebration of the coming of the Word of God among men be a source of new spiritual strength ... and of communion among all of us who recognize Him as Lord and Savior."

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