FATHER CARLO GNOCCHI: AN UNFORGETTABLE TEACHER OF LIFE

VATICAN CITY, NOV 30, 2002 (VIS) - This morning in the Paul VI Hall the Holy Father received participants in the pilgrimage of the "Father Carlo Gnocchi" Foundation which is celebrating its 50th anniversary. This year also marks the 100th anniversary of the birth of Fr. Gnocchi.

John Paul II recalled that Fr. Carlo Gnocchi was "an educator of young people from the very beginning of his priestly ministry." During World War II he worked as a volunteer chaplain and "he acted with heroic charity toward the wounded and the dying, developing the design of a great work dedicated to the poor, to orphans and to the unfortunate. Thus, the 'Pro Juventute' Foundation was born, through which many social and apostolic initiatives came about to help so many war orphans and little ones mutilated by explosive devices."

"'To restore the human person' is the principle that continues to inspire you," he said, "in fidelity to the spirit of Fr. Carlo Gnocchi," whose process of beatification was opened in 1987. "He was convinced that it was not enough to attend to the sick; one must 'restore them', promoting them through appropriate therapy which makes them gain confidence in themselves again. If this calls for a technical and profession update, it calls for, above anything else, constant human and spiritual help."

The Pope urged the workers, volunteers, former students and friends of the spiritual family of Fr. Carlo Gnocchi and the members of the National Association of Mountain Troops ("alpini") and the National Association of Organ Donors, as well as representative of the male and female religious institutions loved by him, to "follow in the footsteps of this unforgettable teacher of life." With regard to organ donations, the Pope recalled that Fr. Gnocchi's "generosity continued after his death on February 28, 1956, with the donation of his corneas to two blind boys."

"Today," the Pope concluded, "his message represents a singular prophecy of solidarity and peace. Serving the neediest and the insignificant in a disinterested way contributes to building a more welcoming and unified world."

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