Vatican - The Pope’s reflection at the Angelus prayer: “The death of Jesus is the encounter between the apparent triumph of evil and the definitive victory of good; the darkest moment of history and the revelation of God’s glory… For believers the Cross of Christ is an icon of hope ”

Vatican City (Fides Service) - “At this dawn of the third millennium, blessed by the Great Jubilee and so rich in potential, humanity is suffering from the terrible spread of terrorism. The succession of atrocious attacks on human life troubles and disturbs consciences and prompts in believers the anguished question which recurs in the Psalms: "Why, Lord? For how long?".” Pope John Paul II raised this dramatic query before reciting the Angelus with visitors in the courtyard of his Summer Residence in Castelgandolfo on Sunday 19 September.
God’s answer to this anguished question unleashed by the scandal of evil is the sacrifice of his own Son on the Cross, the Pope said. “ The death of Jesus is the encounter between the apparent triumph of evil and the definitive victory of good; the darkest moment of history and the revelation of God’s glory; the point of breaking and the centre of attraction and re-composition of the universe... for believers the Cross of Christ is an icon of hope because on the Cross God’s loving plan for salvation was achieved.” Lastly the Pope encouraged those present to walk on with their eyes set on the crucified Christ, “sustained by the power of the Resurrection”. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 20/9/2004 - Righe 14; Parole 195)