VATICAN CITY, JAN 12, 2001 (VIS) - The Holy Father this morning welcomed to the Vatican Alberto Leoncini Bartoli, the new ambassador of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta. In his greetings the Pope thanked the entire Order for the generous and "thoughtful service" of its volunteers throughout the just-concluded Jubilee Year.
"Witnesses and ministers of God Who is Love," remarked the Pope, "the Knights and Dames of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta are called to pursue with renewed dedication, in the third millennium, their work as Good Samaritans, always ready to care for the wounds of man by spreading on them the oil of compassion and balm of charity."
John Paul II recalled that "during its nine centuries of existence, your meritorious Order has always been marked by a special bond with the See of Peter." He added that many Popes had praised their work, their "dialogues with every culture," their contribution "to promoting civilizations of love and peace."
"In today's context," the Holy Father underscored, "where impersonal mechanisms of great economic and technological changes contribute to enriching those who already have great fortunes, I ask you to intensify, within your possibilities, your interventions. Continue to work for a humanization and sharing of the resources that God has destined in equal measure for all men."
"Continue to be," he urged in concluding remarks, "men and women of faith with hearts rich in mercy, and generous and intrepid in the defense of the interests and rights of the poor."
CD;LETTERS CREDENCE;...;KNIGHTS MALTA; BARTOLI;VIS;20010112;Word: 260;
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