BE FAITHFUL TO CATHOLIC VALUES IN FACING CURRENT CHALLENGES

VATICAN CITY, OCT 11, 2003 (VIS) - This morning in the Paul VI Hall John Paul II received 2,000 pilgrims from the diocese of Ozieri, Italy who are in Rome on the occasion of the second centenary of the establishment of the diocese.

The Pope said that "in order to confront the challenges that this age of vast and swift social changes places before the Christian community, it is necessary to remain faithful to the perennial values of the faith and to represent them with language that is appropriate for today's world. Only a coherent proclamation of the Gospel can motivate men and women of the third millennium, who are ever more tired of words and often tempted to get discouraged."

"It is necessary," he continued, "to begin again with Christ Who died and rose for us. He is the font we must draw from in order to confront the problems and aspirations of young people, the concerns of families and the suffering of the sick and elderly, who find themselves alone. Christ gives us the courage to fight against the sad phenomena of criminality and homicidal violence. With your help, it is possible to build up a unified society that respects the dignity of all persons."

The Holy Father assured pilgrims from the diocese of Ozieri that "Jesus needs you so that His gospel may be better known and heard. ... May no effort be spared, no initiative be overlooked, no energy neglected for the purpose of making the Lord known to the men and women of Sardinia."

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