For the time being, the Holy See has neither confirmed nor denied that the Pope plans to attend the event, although on Christmas day Vatican spokesman Joaquín Navarro-Valls confirmed the Pope’s interest in the congress.
At the end of his address today to Javier Moctezuma Barragán, the new Mexican ambassador to the Holy See, John Paul II said that his «heart is set on the celebration of the 48th International Eucharistic Congress,» planned for Oct. 10-17.
Such a congress is a celebration of the whole Church around Christ, present in the Eucharist. Participants reflect on the Eucharistic mystery, celebrate it, adore it and renew their commitment to evangelization.
Earlier this month, John Paul II convoked a worldwide Synod of Bishops on the Eucharist, for Oct. 2-29, 2005.
The last International Eucharistic Congress was held in Rome during the Jubilee Year 2000.
