VATICAN - the Pope’s Angelus reflection “Children are the present and the future of the Church”, “Whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.”

Vatican City (Fides Service) - During his reflection before the Angelus prayer on January 6, feast of the Epiphany, Pope John Paul II spoke about the many children all over the world victims of “hunger, disease, war and terrorism, children kidnapped, disappeared, abused for ignoble business”. The Pope also recalled that the Epiphany is the day for Missionary Childhood: “Children are the present and the future of the Church. They play an active part in evangelising the world and with their prayers they help to save and improve it. My thoughts go to all who work to protect children, in particular the Pontifical Society for Holy Childhood”.
Mentioning also the 20th World Youth Day to be held in August in Germany in Cologne, on the theme “We have come to adore Him” (Mt 2,2), the Holy Father encouraged young people in Germany and all over the world to start a “spiritual journey” towards this “important appointment to find the face of God in Christ, like the Three Wise Men”.
The Pope ended his address quoting the Gospel of Mark: “whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” (Mc 10,15).
(A.P.) (Agenzia Fides 7/1/2005 - Righe 17; Parole 229)