Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
La Valletta (Fides Service) - At 11am this morning October 21 thanks to a live Television link with Malta Pope John Paul II addressed participants at an International Congress for Priests 18-23 October at the Mediterranean Conference Center in Malta. The Pope’s appearance on large TV screens was welcomed with a burst of applause from cardinals, bishops and priests attending the event. The live link was organised by an Italian Catholic broadcaster Telepace which has covered the meeting since it started.
“The Lord calls you to be his apostles first of all through holiness of life. It is up to you to make resound everywhere the power of the Gospel’s word of truth the only word which can work a profound change in the heart of the human person and give peace ” the Pope said in his address. “Dear priests if, like St Paul, you let yourselves be captured by Christ you too will be able to proclaim on the streets of the world the heavenly Father’s infinite mercy, "who wishes for all men and women to be saved and to know the truth". In this way you will be credible masters of life according to the Gospel and prophets of hope. In a restless and divided world, marked by violence and conflict, one might ask if it is still possible to speak of hope. But precisely now is the time to present with courage the true and full hope of mankind, that is Christ the Lord.”
The Pope concluded his address urging the priests to continual renew their entrustment to the Mother of the Lord, willed by Christ himself, recalling the words of the Gospel of John: “Behold your mother”. When the Pope appeared on the screens he was welcomed by Cardinal Castrillon Hoyos who said that on Friday the priests will renew their consecration to the Blessed Virgin Mary with the Pope’s own motto Totus tuus! (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 21/10/2004; righe 22, parole 326)
