CHARITY TRANSLATED INTO EDUCATION TO PEACE

VATICAN CITY, NOV 24, 2001 (VIS) - John Paul II received this morning in the Vatican Basilica the participants in an encounter promoted by Italian Caritas, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary, and in a conference promoted by the Pontifical Council for the Family.

The Pope expressed his desire that the work of Caritas in the parishes be spread and multiplied, and that charity grow and be "translated into education to inter-cultural dialogue, to global vision, to peace, striving to effectively affect the territory."

"A globalized charitable action," he said, "is needed, which supports the development of the 'little ones' of the earth. If you are close to every situation of poverty, beginning with the recurring national and international emergencies, you can ensure that the poor feel, in every community, at 'home'. ... This involves educating not only individual believers, but the entire community to become together 'subject of charity', ready to be the neighbor of those in need."

The Holy Father also briefly greeted the participants in the conference organized by the Pontifical Council for the Family on the theme "'Familiaris Consortio' in its 20th year: anthropological and pastoral dimensions." This conference closes today. The Pope expressed the desire that "the reflections which have emerged in the course of the work contribute to illuminating consciences on the importance of the family and on its mission in our time."

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