At audience, pope urges pilgrims to remember importance of prayer

Published: 2003-11-19

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- At a flag-waving and song-filled general audience, Pope John Paul II greeted pilgrims from all over the world and urged them not to forget the importance of prayer. The 83-year-old pontiff appeared in good form as he spent nearly two hours in a packed Vatican audience hall Nov. 19, delivering brief talks in 10 languages. His voice sounded relatively strong, although he skipped over parts of his main speech. The pope continued his series of audience talks on evening prayer, highlighting the canticle from St. Paul's letter to the Philippians, which is chanted each Sunday at vespers. That ancient liturgical hymn, the pope said, captures the entire mystery of Christ, his humbling incarnation as man and his triumphal ascent to heaven at Easter. He said it was important for the modern church to keep its connection with such forms of prayer that go back to the early days of Christianity.

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