CHURCH CELEBRATES WORLD MISSION DAY

VATICAN CITY, OCT 24, 1999 (VIS) - Prior to reciting the angelus this morning, Pope John Paul recalled that the Second Special Assembly for Europe of the Synod of Bishops closed with a Mass yesterday in St. Peter's Basilica. "What frequently emerged from the synod's work," he stated, "was the call to believers to be courageous missionaries of the Gospel on our continent."

"The invitation to be missionaries," the Pope went on, "takes on a universal dimension today because, in fact, we are celebrating World Mission Day, the last of the Millennium. ... In this perspective, the October 22, 2000 celebration of a special missionary Jubilee day and of the World Mission Congress, organized by the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, will be of special interest."

The Holy Father then addressed "warm greetings and thanks to the missionaries 'ad gentes' who fulfill the work entrusted to them, without letting themselves be intimidated by the difficulties, and on occasion paying the price with their lives. May our spiritual and material support for them never be lacking."

After praying the angelus the Pope then pointed out that "today, in all of the cities of Colombia, there are marches for peace. Even Colombians present in Rome join such an initiative and they have come here this morning in a sign of solidarity and to participate in the common prayer. I ask everyone to join them in invoking God for the gift of peace, and I bless and encourage the efforts that are already being taken in this direction."

ANG;MISSIONS; PEACE; COLOMBIA;...;...;VIS;19991025;Word: 260;