Sarah
01-04-2005, 06:52 PM
Saturday, January 1, 2005
VATICAN CITY (AP) -- Pope John Paul II celebrated a special Mass early Saturday in his private chapel for the victims of the Indian Ocean tidal waves and later publicly praised the outpouring of aid for the stricken populations as a sign of hope for 2005.
"Once more I express my nearness to the populations struck by the tragic cataclysm of these past days," John Paul said in a New Year's Day greeting from his studio window overlooking St. Peter's Square at noon.
"In assuring my prayer for the victims of the catastrophe and for their families, I note favorably the solidarity efforts which are developing in every part of the world," the pontiff said.
"On this sense of human solidarity, in addition to God's help, is based the hope of better days during the year which begins today," the pontiff said, sitting in a chair in front of the window as thousands of pilgrims, tourists and Romans listened below in the square.
The Vatican gave no details of the private Mass that began at midnight in the pope's chapel in his apartment, but on Friday the Holy See's press office had said the pontiff would "remember the families of the victims and how much they are suffering in these days because of the consequences of the disaster, as well as those who are working to relieve the immense suffering of the stricken populations."
John Paul has made several appeals to encourage international relief efforts for victims of the earthquake-triggered tidal waves that swamped coastlines in Asia and Africa.
Many national governments around the world have pledged millions of dollars in aid, and United Nations, Red Cross and private aid groups have been working to relieve suffering with medical, food and logistical aid. Private citizens have also flooded humanitarian organizations with money and other offerings of assistance.
The Roman Catholic Church dedicates the first day of each year to the theme of global peace.
"World Peace Day constitutes an invitation to Christians and to all men of good will to renew their determined commitment to build peace," John Paul said in his homily in a public service in late-morning in St. Peter's Basilica.
In the face of evil, he said, it is necessary to promote peace through dialogue, justice and teaching about pardon, John Paul said.
"To conquer evil with the arms of love becomes the way in which each one can contribute to the peace of everybody," the pontiff said. "This is the path which Christians and believers of various religions are called to take," John Paul said.
John Paul, 84, suffers from Parkinson's disease, which makes it difficult for him to speak and move. Wearing gold-colored robes, he read the homily slowly but in a clear voice as he sat in a chair in front of the central altar of the basilica.
Although John Paul's holiday schedule is somewhat lighter than it was several years ago, when he still had better health, the pontiff has kept the major traditional appointments eagerly awaited by the faithful, and has held up well during the long public ceremonies.
CNN.com (http://www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/europe/01/01/italy.pope.ap/index.html)
VATICAN CITY (AP) -- Pope John Paul II celebrated a special Mass early Saturday in his private chapel for the victims of the Indian Ocean tidal waves and later publicly praised the outpouring of aid for the stricken populations as a sign of hope for 2005.
"Once more I express my nearness to the populations struck by the tragic cataclysm of these past days," John Paul said in a New Year's Day greeting from his studio window overlooking St. Peter's Square at noon.
"In assuring my prayer for the victims of the catastrophe and for their families, I note favorably the solidarity efforts which are developing in every part of the world," the pontiff said.
"On this sense of human solidarity, in addition to God's help, is based the hope of better days during the year which begins today," the pontiff said, sitting in a chair in front of the window as thousands of pilgrims, tourists and Romans listened below in the square.
The Vatican gave no details of the private Mass that began at midnight in the pope's chapel in his apartment, but on Friday the Holy See's press office had said the pontiff would "remember the families of the victims and how much they are suffering in these days because of the consequences of the disaster, as well as those who are working to relieve the immense suffering of the stricken populations."
John Paul has made several appeals to encourage international relief efforts for victims of the earthquake-triggered tidal waves that swamped coastlines in Asia and Africa.
Many national governments around the world have pledged millions of dollars in aid, and United Nations, Red Cross and private aid groups have been working to relieve suffering with medical, food and logistical aid. Private citizens have also flooded humanitarian organizations with money and other offerings of assistance.
The Roman Catholic Church dedicates the first day of each year to the theme of global peace.
"World Peace Day constitutes an invitation to Christians and to all men of good will to renew their determined commitment to build peace," John Paul said in his homily in a public service in late-morning in St. Peter's Basilica.
In the face of evil, he said, it is necessary to promote peace through dialogue, justice and teaching about pardon, John Paul said.
"To conquer evil with the arms of love becomes the way in which each one can contribute to the peace of everybody," the pontiff said. "This is the path which Christians and believers of various religions are called to take," John Paul said.
John Paul, 84, suffers from Parkinson's disease, which makes it difficult for him to speak and move. Wearing gold-colored robes, he read the homily slowly but in a clear voice as he sat in a chair in front of the central altar of the basilica.
Although John Paul's holiday schedule is somewhat lighter than it was several years ago, when he still had better health, the pontiff has kept the major traditional appointments eagerly awaited by the faithful, and has held up well during the long public ceremonies.
CNN.com (http://www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/europe/01/01/italy.pope.ap/index.html)