Pope celebrates 75th anniversary of Vatican's St. Anne's Parish

Published: 2004-04-05

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope John Paul II helped commemorate the 75th anniversary of the founding of the Vatican's St. Anne's Parish, calling it "an oasis of the spirit." At an April 3 audience with church members in the Paul VI hall, the pope said the church is where "prayer and participation in liturgical celebrations are conducted with great decorum and devotion." He praised the parishioners for their "diligent pastoral action." He said that parishioners united their efforts to spread the Gospel with "paying witness to brotherly charity and care for those most in need." The pope also said he "felt particularly united" with St. Anne's Church because of the church's location at the main entrance to the Vatican. The church was founded in May 1929 by Pope Pius XI.

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