THE SHROUD OF TURIN REVEALS THE MEANING OF SUFFERING

VATICAN CITY, NOV 11, 2000 (VIS) - This morning in St. Peter's Square, the Pope received groups of pilgrims from different Italian dioceses as well as various other groups.

The Pope encouraged faithful from the archdiocese of Messina-Lipari-Santa Lucia del Mela, to "look to the third millennium and offer the liberating joy of the Gospel to all. Listen to the needs of families and young people and give them fertile occasions for religious formation. Seek out the poor and the suffering, helping them to experience the tenderness of God, heavenly Father of all human beings."

Addressing pilgrims from the archdiocese of Turin, the Holy Father recalled the visit he made to that city last year, when he prayed before the Holy Shroud. He said: "In that mysterious mirror of the Gospel, it is possible for each to discover the sense of his own suffering as a participation in that of Christ, source of salvation for all humanity." He also assured them of his prayers for those communities in the diocese affected by last month's floods and expressed the desire that "everyone can, as soon as possible, return to their normal family and social life."

John Paul II also greeted participants in the international congress promoted by the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant Peoples concerning the message of Mother Frances Xavier Cabrini on emigration. "May the witness and message of Mother Frances Xavier Cabrini, audacious and generous apostle of migrants, always illuminate all your activities and projects in favor of migrants, guiding you to develop with them a dialogue that is sincere and respectful of individuals."

AC;JUBILEE PILGRIMAGES;...;...;VIS;20001113;Word: 280;