Pope says his work has only one aim: proclaiming Christ's Gospel

Published: 2003-12-22

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope John Paul II said his 25 years of service as pope and the daily efforts of everyone who works in the Vatican have only one aim: "To proclaim the Gospel of Christ for the salvation of the world." Meeting with cardinals and Vatican officials Dec. 22 to offer his Christmas greetings, the pope said love for Christ and for humanity was the motivation for the trips he made, the documents he wrote, the meetings he held and the ceremonies he celebrated in 2003. During the audience, the pope also prayed for the gift of peace for the world. To be witnesses for peace and to educate for peace are urgent "in these our days when risks and threats to peaceful human coexistence still darken the horizon," the pope told the Vatican officials. The pope said Catholics today must have the same optimism Blessed Pope John XXIII showed 40 years ago in his encyclical, "Peace on Earth." "Peace remains possible today and, if it is possible, it is an obligation," Pope John Paul said.

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