Pope thanks missionaries, pays homage to those killed while working

Published: 2004-10-25

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope John Paul II thanked missionaries at work all over the world and paid special homage to those who have died while performing their work of evangelization. In his Angelus address Oct. 24, the pope offered his "very cordial greeting and profound thanks" to the many missionaries gathered in St. Peter's Square as well as to those carrying out the difficult and often dangerous task "on the frontiers of evangelization." He promised them all "a special remembrance in prayer." The pope gave his greeting following a Mass marking World Mission Sunday. He did not celebrate the Mass. Speaking from the window of his apartment to the crowd gathered below, the pope said he gave particular thought to "those who crowned their witness to Christ and service to man with the sacrifice of their lives." The Vatican says that approximately 30 missionaries lose their lives every year, but that tens of thousands of Christians die annually because of their faith, the Italian missionary news agency, Asianews, reported.

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