Mission
Hot Topics
Israel continues to violate human rights of Christians just because they are Palestinians
Vatican v. France on religious freedom could go to Strasbourg court
2 billion in money for killing babies: Planned Parenthood’s financial results released
What does Jesus mean when he says that the shepherd lays down his life for his sheep? Pope Francis explains
The Pope’s Meeting with the Third Seminary of Spaniards in Rome: That of Seville
Pope to students and teachers of schools for peace: they are called to be protagonists and not spectators of the future
Pope Francis: for a study of history free of ideologies and respectful of truth
European Parliament Calls for Protection of “Right” to Abortion in the European Charter of Fundamental Rights
Pope Francis receives Discalced Carmelite nuns at Vatican and tells them how to revise their Constitutions
Japanese woman is baptized after witnessing how her Catholic husband lived with faith his cancer
Day

May 27th, 2001


VATICAN CITY, MAY 27, 2001 (Zenit.org).- A Christian´s commitment is not exhausted at the social, cultural and political levels -- it also has a transcendent dimension, John Paul II said today.

Appearing at the window of his study, the Pontiff reminded the 10,000 faithful gathered in St. Peter´s Square that Christ´s victory over death has enabled Christians to be "at the same time citizens of earth and heaven."

The Holy Father was commenting on the significance of the feast of Jesus´ ascension into heaven, which in Italy and other countries was moved to this Sunday, for reasons connected with the labor calendar.

"Christ has become the bridge between heaven and earth," the Pope said. "He is the mediator between God and man, between the kingdom of heaven and the history of the world. United to him in his same Spirit, believers form a new community, the Church, whose nature is at the same time visible and spiritual, a pilgrim in the world and participant of heavenly glory."