NEWS & VIEWS
from a CATHOLIC perspective

      VATICAN CITY, MAY 26 (ZENIT).- This morning, during his usual Wednesday general audience, held under sunny skies in Saint Peter's Square, with some 15,000 pilgrims from all over the world, John Paul II addressed the question of the destiny and final goal of humanity.

      The Pope hoped to dispel the fears emerging at this time, as we prepare to cross the threshold of the new millennium, and to stimulate reflection in a society where "everything happens at incredible speed, be it because of scientific and technological discoveries, or because of the media's influence."

      The Pontiff's reply was clear and simple. "We do not have information on the date of this event." He came to this conclusion after a brief review of all the references in the Bible on the end of the world, beginning with the book of Exodus and ending with the vision of the Apocalypse, not ignoring the prophecies of Ezekiel.

      For this reason, "it is necessary to be patient in waiting for Jesus resurrected." A period of waiting which, as Christ himself said to his apostles, must be accompanied by "preaching and witnessing."

      "The tension about the final event must be lived in serene hope, committed to the present moment in the construction of the Kingdom which at the end will be given by Christ into the Father's hands," the Pope said.

      "Pilgrims in search of a lasting home, we must hope, as our fathers in the faith did, for a better homeland, in other words, for Heaven," the Holy Father concluded. ZE99052605

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