Pope offers thanks for blessings in 2003, prayers for peace in 2004

Published: 2003-12-31

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- With prayers of thanksgiving for God's blessings in 2003 as well as prayers for a more peaceful 2004, Pope John Paul II led an evening prayer service Dec. 31 in St. Peter's Basilica. For Christians, the pope said, gathering for prayer on New Year's Eve brings together "two dimensions of time" -- earthly time marked by the changing calendar and eternal time that opened to all humanity with the birth of Jesus. Even in the "cosmic rhythm" of the movement of the Earth around the sun, the pope said, "the human mind recognizes the handprint of the divine creative wisdom. That is why the church proclaims, 'We praise you, God.'" But the definitive motive for praising God, he said, is the gift of Jesus, "the new sun which came from on high, a sun which orients everything toward the ultimate end of history." During his homily, the pope thanked the city of Rome for the gift of an icon of Our Lady of Divine Love, which has 20 gems encrusted in Mary's crown.

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