GENERAL AUDIENCE: CELEBRATION OF THE CITY OF SALVATION

VATICAN CITY, OCT 2, 2002 (VIS) - In this Wednesday's general audience celebrated in St. Peter's Square, the Pope spoke about the Canticle in chapter 26 of the Book of Isaiah, "Hymn after the victory."

John Paul II affirmed that this Canticle evokes "the joyous celebration of the city of salvation," which opens the doors "to welcome the just."

"There is one fundamental requisite for those who enter the city of salvation: ... faith in God, a solid faith, based on Him who is the 'eternal rock'. The gift that God gives to his faithful is peace, the messianic gift par excellence, the synthesis of life in justice, liberty and the joy of communion."

The Holy Father went on to say that the Fathers of the Church saw in this promise of peace "the words of Christ that would resound centuries later: 'My peace I leave you, my peace I give to you."

"In his commentary on John's Gospel," he added, "St. Cyril of Alexandria recalls that when He gives us peace, Jesus gives us his very Spirit. Therefore, he does not leave us orphans, but through the Holy Spirit he remains with us."

The text of the prophet Isaiah, concluded the Pope, "presents a reflection upon 'the way of the just' and a declaration of adherence to the just decisions of God."

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