VATICAN - The Pope opens the Year of the Eucharist, in live link with the Eucharistic Congress in Mexico: “The human heart, weighed down by sin, often disorientated and tired, tried by all sorts of suffering needs Light. The world in the difficult search for peace still far away, and at the beginning of a Millennium devastated and humiliated by violence, terrorism and war needs Light. The Eucharist is Light!”

Vatican City (Fides Service) - On Sunday 17 October 17 in St Peter’s Pope John presided a concelebrated Mass to open the Year of the Eucharist. Cardinal Angelo Sodano, secretary of state celebrated the Mass at the altar over the Tomb of St Peter. The Mass was followed by adoration and benediction with the Blessed Sacrament. During the adoration in a live link with thousands gathered in Mexico for the closing of the 48th International Eucharistic Congress the Pope delivered his homily.
“Television is serving as a bridge between two continents to connect St Peter’s Basilica the heart of Christianity and the Eucharistic Congress in Guadalajara- the Pope said - making our prayer a "Statio orbis", for the believers of the world. The point of encounter is Jesus himself, truly present in the most Holy Eucharist with his mystery of death and resurrection, which unites heaven and earth and peoples of all different cultures.”
Referring to the Congress theme "The Eucharist light and life of the new Millennium" the Pope said: “The human heart, weighed down by sin, often disorientated and tired, tried by all sorts of suffering needs Light. The world in the difficult search for peace still far away, and at the beginning of a Millennium devastated and humiliated by violence, terrorism and war needs Light. The Eucharist is Light! a Mystery of life. What greater aspiration than life? Yet this universal human longing is threatened: the threat of a culture which denies the right to life in its every stage; the threat of indifference which leaves large numbers of people to a destiny of hunger and underdevelopment; the threat of scientific research at the service of egoism of the strongest. Dearest brothers and sisters, we must be moved by the needs of so many of our brothers and sisters. We cannot close our heart to their call for help.”
The Holy Father said that this Year of the Eucharist is a call to the Christian community to “grow in awareness and to celebrate it with more intensity, with prolonged and fervent adoration, with greater commitment to fraternity and service of those most in need. The Eucharist is a source and epiphany of communion. It is a source and project of mission”
At the end of the homily the Pope read the prayer he composed for the year which opens and ends with the invocation: “Stay with us O Lord Jesus!" and he announced that the next International Eucharistic Congress will be held in Quebec in 2008. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 18/10/2004; righe 30, parole 425)