Ernakulam (Fides Service) - "This land, which received Thomas and Francis and which has seen the growth of the Church that is truly Indian in expression, rejoices today. With gratitude for the past, it looks forward to the third Millennium with a genuine hope for the future". This is a passage of a Message on behalf of Pope John Paul II which Cardinal Sepe delivered on Sunday November 17 in Ernakulam in Kerala, southern India at the end of Jubilee celebrations for St Thomas the Apostle and St Francis Xavier who brought the Gospel of Jesus Christ to this country. The celebrations included a solemn Mass presided by the Cardinal and in the afternoon public ceremony during which the Cardinal read the message. "At this important milestone in the Church's history in India, then, the Holy Father wishes to assure you of his prayers and solidarity - said Cardinal Sepe-. He is happy to know that this event that is honoured by the participation of many civil and religious leaders, as well as many of the faithful and members of other religions." The Catholic Church in India traces its origin to the preaching of St. Thomas the Apostle, who, according to tradition, came to India in 52 A. D. Around 1,500 years later Francis Xavier sailed for the East, anxious to carry the Gospel to these lands and he reached the coast of Malabar in 1542. He died on December 3, 1552. Both these men "played a special role in the religious history of India" the Cardinal continued, "The Holy Father assures the people of India of his continued commitment and solidarity in every such need, of his desire to be helpful to all and continue in building a society that offers a life of dignity to all its citizens." The Pope "is very grateful to India for opening its doors to Christianity two thousand years ago, and for the enrichment that this has brought to the universal Church. He is hopeful that the Church, which is not aligned with any one culture, can continue an enriching dialogue and collaboration with Indian society and with other religions, in truth and in charity, so that together we can advance peacefully into the Third Millennium, each group enriched by the values of the other, in the intercultural and inter-religious context of India, and of Asia in general." The message concludes: "the Holy Father is happy to note that religious freedom is enshrined in the Indian Constitution…In this spirit, the Holy Father encourages the Church in India to continue to reach out beyond its borders so that, in the example of Thomas and Francis, the Good News of Jesus Christ may be shared with peoples of other countries of Asia and indeed of other Continents." See entire Message in English at www.fides.org (SL) (Fides Service 18/11/2002)