Pope asks Catholics to remember Christians persecuted for beliefs

Published: 2004-08-30

CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy (CNS) -- Pope John Paul II called on the Catholic community to remember those persecuted for their Christian beliefs. "Even today, in some parts of the world, the faithful still continue to endure harsh trials for their acceptance of Christ and his church," he said. "May these brothers and sisters of ours feel the full solidarity of the entire church community," he asked Aug. 29 before praying the Sunday Angelus. The pope made special mention of the "numerous Christians who were victims of religious hatred in different nations of Europe this past century." They, like all martyrs of the faith before them, "courageously followed in the footsteps" of St. John the Baptist, who gave his life "for truth and justice," he said.

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