Wednesday, January 17, 2001

TODAY IN ITALY: DAY OF JEWISH-CHRISTIAN FRIENDSHIP


VATICAN CITY, JAN 17, 2001 (VIS) - At the end of today's general audience the Holy Father told the pilgrims present in the Paul VI Hall that "today in Italy we are celebrating the Day for Jewish-Christian Friendship. As I express appreciation and support for this initiative of the Italian Church, I hope with all my heart that it contributes to the development of an authentic Jewish-Christian dialogue."

He also recalled that "tomorrow starts the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, during which the Churches and ecclesial communities will pray together so that the will of Christ, that is, that His disciples be one only, will be realized. This year the theme that was chosen is Jesus' expression, as recounted in John's Gospel, 'I am the Way, the Truth and the Life'." The Pope invited the faithful to join him on January 25 in the basilica of St. Paul's Outside-the-Walls when he will preside at the solemn conclusion of this week of prayer.

Referring to today's liturgical memorial of Saint Anthony Abbot, the Pope recalled that "he is very popular in country areas as the patron of cattle-breeding. This area is currently experiencing a period of great difficulty due to the alarm in society caused by the spread of a recent epidemic. I would like to express my spiritual closeness to all of the farmers in this difficult situation."

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