ANGELUS MESSAGE
Sunday, August 13,
2000
Dearest Brothers And Sisters!
1. Yesterday the Exposition of
the Holy Shroud opened in Turin, which will continue until October 22. Close in time to
the preceding showing, this new important spiritual initiative underlines the intimate
relation that links the message of the Holy Shroud to the Jubilee Year. My heartfelt
thanks to Archbishop Severino Poletto of Turin, Custodian of the Shroud, and to his
collaborators for offering believers from different places the possibility to venerate
this unique testimony of Christ.
Every time people have the possibility
to contemplate it, they are profoundly affected. This also happened to me. In fact, I
remember my visits with intense emotion: the first, just a few weeks after my election to
the See of Peter, the second during my visit to Turin in 1980, the third during the May
1998 pilgrimage, after the terrible fire that seriously risked damaging it. Each time was
a profound experience of grace! Indeed, in the Man of the Shroud, the infinite love of God
speaks to the heart of every person.
2. Very many youths were in
Turin for the opening of the Exposition of the Shroud. This is also a providential
coincidence. In fact, the opening was virtually regarded as the introduction to the World
Youth Day, now imminent. On the evening of August 15, I will have the joy of receiving the
participants of this extraordinary world meeting in Rome. Over the following days, they
will have times of catechesis, prayer, and celebration, before the final gathering at Tor
Vergata, where I hope to be present both for the great vigil on Saturday evening, as well
as the solemn Eucharistic celebration on Sunday morning.
The pilgrimage of the world's youth
left from St. Peter's Square 15 years ago now, under the guidance of the same cross that
has gone around the world. Now that cross has returned to Rome, carried by a group of
youths from the Mantova diocese, who made the journey on foot from Castiglione delle
Stiviere, St. Louis Gonzaga's homeland. I greet them especially as well as all young
pilgrims who are guests in Italian dioceses, where they are sharing the joy of the same
faith and are preparing to come to Rome. But in my thoughts I embrace all those youths who
over the next few days will be spiritually united to us, and even those who feel
themselves distant. To all I say: God is close to you and loves you. Welcome him!
3. I ask all to pray so that all
who come to Rome for World Youth Day may encounter Christ and be strengthened by him in
the faith and will to follow him coherently. We ask this through the intercession of Mary,
Mother of Christ and of the Church.
(ZENIT Translation)
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