Vatican City (Fides Service) - At the end his general audience on Wednesday, 26 March , in St Peter's Square, Pope John Paul II launched a new call on Christians to persevere in praying the Rosary to obtain the gift of peace. Here is what the Holy Father said in Italian: "Dear brothers and sisters yesterday we celebrated the feast of the Annunciation, the first of the joyful mysteries, which recalls the incarnation of the Son of God, the Prince of Peace. Reciting the Holy Rosary we reflected on this mystery with our hearts oppressed by the news coming from Iraq at war, without forgetting the other conflicts which bloody the earth. How important it is during this year of the Rosary to persevere in the recitation of the Rosary to implore the gift of peace! I ask for this to be done especially at Marian shrines. To Mary, Queen of the Rosary I entrust from now my wish to make a pilgrimage to her Shrine at Pompei on 7 October this year, on the occasion of the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary. May the maternal intercession of Mary obtain justice and peace for the whole world." During his catechesis, reflecting on Psalm 89, the Pope said in English: "Dear Brothers and Sisters, Psalm 89 is a prayer that focuses on an experience that is common to all people: human frailty and the passing of time. Our existence is fragile like the grass that sprouts in the morning and withers in the evening. We are called, therefore, to recognize the shortness of our lives so that we may gain wisdom of heart. It is the grace of God which alone gives meaning and continuity to our actions; through grace eternity enters into our lives and transforms us. In fact, it is the resurrection of Christ that makes this possible: Christ's Passion is the source of our life after death. In him we have been redeemed and our lives are filled with joy and praise. I extend a special welcome to the priests from the Institute for Continuing Theological Education at the Pontifical North American College and to the visiting Lutheran pastors from Helsinki. Upon all the English-speaking pilgrims, especially those from England, Denmark, Finland and The United States of America, I invoke the grace and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ." See complete address in various languages at www.fides.org (Fides Service 27/3/2003 EM lines 27 Words: 417)