VATICAN CITY, DEC. 17, 2000 (ZENIT.org).-
John Paul II urged participants in the Jubilee of the Fashion World to «transmit love of beauty» and use their work to raise spirits to God.
Although not in the Holy Year´s official calendar, the Jubilee event was celebrated Saturday in St. Peter´s Square. It was organized in less than a month by the National Chamber of Italian Fashion, Pitti Immagine and the Jubilee General Secretariat. The day began with a Mass at 8:30 a.m., attended by 2,000 people, in the Church of the Holy Spirit in Sassia, next to the Vatican.
The Fendi sisters, Laura Biagiotti and Raffaella Curiel were seated in the front row. Confessionals were in full use. A day earlier, entrepreneurs, craftsmen and fashion designers went to the Basilica of St. Eugene, for reflection on serious topics such as the problems of child labor in apparel factories; wastefulness in luxury; and provocative advertising.
During his homily Saturday to 50,000 pilgrims in St. Peter´s Square, the Holy Father said, «Try to transmit love of beauty. In order for this to happen, you must always be inspired by healthy moral principles, which are the patrimony of every authentically human culture. May your work raise the spirit to the One who transforms life´s efforts into joy.»
At the end, the Pope received numerous delegations, especially those of the fashion world, among whom were Mario Boselli, Gaettano Marzotto, Pino Lancetti and Gai Mattiolo.
