VATICAN CITY, MARCH 6, 2003 (Zenit.org).- Cardinal Camillo Ruini expressed to John Paul II the profound concern for world peace that the diocesan priests of Rome share with him.
“During these days, in which your heart is weighed down by profound concern for peace, we join to your prayer, Holy Father, our humble prayer so that Jesus, Prince of Peace, will convert hearts and inspire the leaders of nations,” the cardinal said today.
In the traditional audience to the Roman clergy at the start of Lent, Cardinal Ruini offered John Paul II, on the occasion of his 25 years of pastoral service at the head of the diocese, a volume with all the addresses the Pope has made at these meetings from March 2, 1979, to Feb. 14, 2002.
The book is the result “of the gifts that Your Holiness has given us throughout these 25 years, attending to and interpreting our expectations, aspirations and concerns and offering us the paternal and sure guidance of your illuminating and stimulating word. We are profoundly grateful,” said the vicar general of Rome.
In the wake of the momentum of the Great Jubilee and the City’s Mission that preceded it, the Church in Rome continues in its commitment to give a missionary dimension to life itself and to pastoral care, which is not an easy task, Cardinal Ruini told the Pope.
“We have been able to verify that the fruitfulness of the mission comes only from the Lord, and that is why its fruits are that much more copious the more the evangelizers are authentic men of God, beginning with us, the priests,” the cardinal added.
We “have concentrated our attention, especially our prayer, on the key point for the future of the Church: vocations to the priesthood and the consecrated life,” he concluded.
