THE POPE TELLS UNIVERSITY STUDENTS: “IT IS INDISPENSABLE FOR TODAY’S EUROPE TO SAFEGUARD ITS HERITAGE OF VALUES AND TO RECOGNISE THAT MAINLY CHRISTIANITY WAS THE FORCE WHICH PROMOTED, COMPOUNDED AND CONSOLIDATED THEM ”

Vatican City (Fides Service) - "Fear not, I will help you" (Is 41,13). God’s promise echoed by the Prophet found full actuation in the birth of Jesus at Bethlehem. In Him God became one of us! This is why we need not fear. The Season of Advent we are living urges us to have hope.” This was how Pope John Paul II began his homily during the annual Mass for Rome’s University Students and teachers which he presided in St Peter’s Basilica on December 11.
“I encourage you, my dearest ones, to make sure that your formation period is sustained unceasingly by the search for God– the Holy Father continued -. Never be stopped by doubts and difficulties. God, the Prophet assures us, “grasps your right hand” (Is 41,13), he is beside you. His comforting company will render you more aware of the mission you are called to undertake in the environment of the university.”
Mentioning the recent Meeting for University Pastoral Delegates promoted by the Council of European Bishops’ Conferences (CCEE) held in Rome 9 to 11 December, the Pope underlined the importance of the process of European integration and he said: “You, who are part of the university world, must make your contribution to this process. For the unity of Europe, social, political and economic structures are certainly of great importance, but on no account must the humanistic and spiritual aspects be neglected. It is indispensable for today’s Europe to safeguard its heritage of values and recognise that Christianity was mainly the force which promoted, compounded and consolidated them. Christmas is a privileged occasion for underlining one of the most treasured Christian values. With the birth of Jesus in the simplicity and poverty of Bethlehem, God restored dignity to the life of every human being; he offered every man and woman the possibility of sharing in His own divine life. May this incommensurable gift always encounter hearts ready to receive it!
See full text of the Pope’s homily in Italian
http://www.evangelizatio.org/portale/adgentes/pontefici/pontefice.php?id=22
(S.L.) (Fides Service12/12/2003 – lines 24; words 332)