MESSAGE OF THE HOLY FATHER
JOHN PAUL II
TO THE PARTICIPANTS IN THE MASS OF THE LORD'S SUPPER

Holy Thursday, 24 March 2005

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

In my mind and heart I am close to you who have gathered at the tomb of the Apostle Peter for the Holy Mass of the Lord's Supper, the first event of the Easter Triduum and the crowning point of the liturgical year. I greet you with deep affection, and in particular I greet and thank Cardinal Alfonso López Trujillo, who is presiding at the solemn celebration. I address a special respectful thought to the Diplomatic Corps.

LETTER OF JOHN PAUL II
ON THE OCCASION OF THE DEATH OF MONS. LUIGI GIUSSANI

1. I was overwhelmed with emotion to learn the news of the death of dear Mons. Luigi Giussani, after a long period of illness that he accepted with a spirit of serene abandonment to the divine will and generous participation in the mystery of the Cross of Christ. His departure from this life is a cause of sorrow to his relatives, to the presbyterate of the Archdiocese of Milan, to the "Liberation and Communion" Movement which he founded and to a great many other people who esteemed and loved him as a zealous minister of God. I feel spiritually close to everyone with intense affection at this painful moment of leave-taking.

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

1. Welcome! Once again we meet in this place to praise the Lord. I would like to thank you - and all those who are following us via radio and television - for your closeness and affection, and above all for your prayers during the days of my stay at the Gemelli Polyclinic.

LETTER OF POPE JOHN PAUL II
FOR BRAZIL'S ECUMENICAL
"BROTHERHOOD CAMPAIGN"

To my Venerable Brother in the Episcopate
Cardinal Geraldo Majella Agnelo
President of the National Conference of Brazilian Bishops
Archbishop of São Salvador
and Primate of Brazil

With my most cordial greetings to the Christians of Brazil who are following the Lenten spiritual itinerary on their way to Easter, the Resurrection of the Lord, I would like once again to adhere to the Brotherhood Campaign, whose theme in this year 2005 will be "Solidarity and Peace:  Blessed are the peacemakers". This auspicious project, initiated by the Catholic Church over 40 years ago, extends to all Christian denominations represented by the National Council of Christian Churches of Brazil (CONIC). Hence, it is an important opportunity for ecumenical collaboration.

1. "In many and various ways God spoke of old to our fathers by the prophets; but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son" (Heb 1: 1-2).

APOSTOLIC LETTER
IN THE FORM OF MOTU PROPRIO

MISERICORDIA DEI

ON CERTAIN ASPECTS
OF THE CELEBRATION
OF THE SACRAMENT OF PENANCE

By the mercy of God, the Father who reconciles us to himself, the Word took flesh in the spotless womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary to save “his people from their sins” (Mt 1:21) and to open for them “the way of eternal salvation”.⁽¹⁾ By identifying Jesus as “the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world” (Jn 1:29), Saint John the Baptist confirms this mission. In all his deeds and preaching, the Precursor issues a fervent and energetic summons to repentance and conversion, the sign of which is the baptism administered in the waters of the Jordan. Jesus himself underwent this penitential rite (cf. Mt 3:13-17), not because he had sinned, but because “he allows himself to be numbered among sinners; he is already `the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world' (Jn 1:29); already he is anticipating the `baptism' of his bloody death”.⁽²⁾

APOSTOLIC LETTER OF JOHN PAUL II 
FOR THE 1,700th ANNIVERSARY 
OF THE BAPTISM OF THE ARMENIAN PEOPLE

1. "O God, marvellous and ever provident, in accordance with your foreknowledge, you began the salvation of the Armenians".