Pope´s Address Before Praying "Regina
Caeli"
Calls for an End to Exploitation of Children as
Soldiers
VATICAN CITY, JUNE 3, 2001 (Zenit.org).- Here is a translation of John Paul
II's address today, before praying the "Regina Caeli."
* * *
1.
At the end of this solemn celebration, I want to
entrust to Mary's maternal intercession the whole Church, which in Pentecost has
a renewed awareness of her missionary vocation. Moreover, we place in her hands
the expectations of peace and justice of the world. In
particular, we wish to recommend to Our Lady's intercession the lives of so many
youths, who are victims of the ongoing absurd violence in several countries, as
testified by the news reaching us in the past days from the Holy Land. In
addition to them, we remember especially the children involved in armed
conflicts. In about 50 countries, many minors live in the midst of conflicts or
post-conflict situations. They are victims of forced recruitment and of abuses
of all kinds; they cannot go to school, they are separated from their parents,
and subjected to physical and psychological violence.
I appeal to the
international community to increase its efforts to protect and rehabilitate all
those who live in such tragic conditions. May the children, who are humanity's
future and hope, grow up at last far away from the flagellation of war and every
form of violence. May Mary, Mother of life,
protect children in danger and support those who work to help them.
2. In a few moments, the venerable remains of
Blessed John XXIII, which we had with us during the Holy Mass, will be devotedly
taken to the Vatican Basilica, where they will remain exposed for the veneration
of the faithful. I remember with admiration the brief but intense pontificate of
this, my unforgettable predecessor. At this moment, I would like to recall his
fervent devotion to Our Lady. He often remembered the good traditions of his
childhood, when the most elderly in the family led the recitation of the rosary
at home. Since then, he liked to say, Most Holy Mary took him by the hand and
accompanied him on the path of the priesthood, the ideal of his whole life.
On May 15, 1963, during the last general audience in St. Peter's
Basilica, he exhorted everyone to multiply their
manifestations of affection for Mary, to whom, he underlined, the whole Eternal
City is, so to speak, consecrated.
Let us gather
his spiritual testament! Like him, let us deepen our relation with the Mother of
Christ and Tabernacle of the Holy Spirit and, inspired by new fervor, let us
invoke her with confidence: Regina caeli ...
[Translation by
ZENIT]
Pope´s Address
Before Praying "Regina Caeli"
Assails "Absurd
Spiral of Violence" in Mideast
VATICAN CITY, MAY 13, 2001 (Zenit.org).-
Here is a translation of the full text of John Paul II's address, given at St.
Peter's Square before he prayed the "Regina Caeli" at midday today.
* *
*
Dearest Brothers and Sisters!
1. Today, together with you, I
wish to give thanks to God and to the Blessed Virgin for the pilgrimage in St.
Paul's footsteps, which I had the joy of undertaking over the past days. Athens,
Damascus, Malta: I carry those places imprinted in my soul, which the mission of
the Apostle to the Gentiles has linked, indissolubly, to the history of
Christianity. Next Wednesday, during the general audience, I will discuss at
greater length this unforgettable journey, which was very significant from the
ecumenical and interreligious point of view.
Unfortunately, it was
saddened by the painful news that continued to arrive from the Holy Land.
Indeed, we are faced with an absurd spiral of violence. To sow death every day
does no more than exasperate spirits and delay the blessed day when all will be
able to look at one another in the face and walk together as brothers! All, and
in particular leaders of the international community, have the duty to help the
parties in conflict to break this immoral chain of provocations and reprisals.
It must be remembered, moreover, as so often repeated, that the language and
culture of peace must prevail over incitement to hatred and exclusion.
2. Today, a reason for joy and praise comes to us from the priestly
ordinations, which I celebrated this morning in St. Peter's Basilica.
Thirty-four deacons from several Seminaries of the Diocese of Rome, became
priests, to serve the Church through preaching of the Gospel, the celebration of
the Sacraments, and the pastoral care of the People of God. I embrace each one
of them again in peace, assuring them of my prayerful support in their new
ministry. I thank all those who are responsible for their formation and
affectionately greet relatives and friends.
3. We now invoke, on these
new Priests of the Diocese of Rome, the help of
Most Holy Mary, on the day in which we remember her
apparitions in Fatima. I myself was able to experience her protection on May 13
twenty years ago. We renew our supplication to her for the Holy Land, that the
hearts and intentions of all will be purified, so that the massacres will cease
and the energies of one and all will be employed for the effective and lasting
construction of peace.
[Translation by ZENIT]
Who is the
Most Holy?
Daniel 9:24 Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.
