VATICAN CITY, OCT 13, 2002 (VIS) - Following Mass this morning in St. Peter's Basilica on the occasion of the visit to Rome by His Beatitude Teoctist, Orthodox patriarch of Romania, the Holy Father addressed the faithful in St. Peter's Square from the window of his study, with whom he then prayed the Angelus.
Recalling not only this visit with Patriarch Teoctist, but his apostolic trip to Bucharest as well where the two met in 1999, the Pope stated: "From these meetings emerged a sincere desire for unity. 'Become united', I heard the young people proclaim in Bucharest; 'Unity' I heard again in St. Peter's Square last Monday in my first meeting with His Beatitude."
John Paul II recalled that "full communion among Christians received a notable impulse from Vatican Council II, which dedicated precisely to ecumenism one of its most significant documents, the decree 'Unitatis redintegratio'." He noted that October 11 marked the 40th anniversary of the opening of this council by Pope - now Blessed - John XXIII.
"In his opening speech," said the Holy Father, "Pope John, filled with faith and hope, exhorted the Council Fathers to, on the one hand, remain faithful to Catholic tradition and, on the other, to repropose it in a manner adapted to new times."
The Pope then prayed the Angelus with the faithful, adding afterwards: "I spiritually join my fellow countrymen in Poland who today are celebrating the so-called 'Day of the Pope'. I hope this will be an occasion for the common rediscovery of all the religious and cultural values which are the spiritual legacy of our nation. May it also be a day of solidarity, especially with young people who need help so that they can have the education suitable to their talents and their youthly aspirations."
John Paul II concluded by thanking everyone who, "on the occasion of the anniversary of my pontificate, in different ways, but especially with prayer, express their goodwill for me."
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