ANGELUS: MAY WORLD CONTINUE ON PATH OF JUSTICE AND PEACE

VATICAN CITY, JAN 6, 2004 (VIS) - Today at noon on the Solemnity of the Epiphany of Our Lord, the Pope appeared at the window of his study overlooking St. Peter's Square to pray the Angelus with the faithful gathered below.

John Paul II said that on the feast of the Epiphany, the gospel of St. Matthew talks about "a mysterious 'star' that guided the Magi to Jerusalem and then to Bethlehem where they adored the Child Jesus. . The star reminds us of the rich symbol of light, very present on Christmas. God is light and the Word made flesh is the 'light of the world,' the light that guides the way of the people: 'lumen gentium'."

"This great truth moved my venerated predecessor Paul VI when he made his historic pilgrimage to the Holy Land, exactly forty years ago. On January 6, 1964 in Bethlehem in the Basilica of the Nativity, he made some memorable remarks. Among them, he said: "We look at the world with great sympathy. If the world feels extraneous to Christianity, Christianity does not feel extraneous to the world. And from that place which saw the birth of the Prince of Peace, he urged the leaders of nations to a ever-closer collaboration to ' establish peace in truth, justice and freedom and in fraternal love'."

"I now make these words of the Servant of God Paul VI my own. . With the maternal help of Our Lady, may every man and woman reach Christ, light of truth, and may the world continue on the path of justice and peace."

After the Marian prayer, the Holy Father greeted "our brothers and sisters of the Eastern Churches who celebrate Christmas during these days, following the Julian calendar."

At the end, the Pope greeted participants in the folkloric parade, "Viva la Befana," dedicated this year to the traditions of the city of Agnani and its region.

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