Papal Library

A Celebration of Life Pope John Paul II World Youth Day-Denver Aug. 15, 1993 At this stage of history, the liberating message of the Gospel of life has been put into your hands, Pope John Paul II told hundreds of thousands of World Youth Day participants in his homily Aug. 15, the feast of the Assumption, during the eucharistic celebration at Cherry...

Opening of the Holy Door at St Mary Major Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God World Day of Peace John Paul II January 1, 2000 1. When the time had fully come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman (Gal 4: 4). Yesterday evening we paused to meditate on the meaning of Paul's words, taken from the Letter to the Galatians,...

Mass and Sacrament of Baptism Holy Father Ordains 12 Bishops on the Solemnity of the Epiphany John Paul II Solemn Liturgy in St Peter's Basilica January 6, 2000 1. Arise, shine out Jerusalem, for your light has come. The glory of the Lord is rising on you (Is 60: 1). The prophet Isaiah turns his gaze to the future. He is not...

Mass and Sacrament of Baptism Homily of the Holy Father John Paul II Sistine Chapel, Feast of the Baptism of the Lord January 9, 2000 1. You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased (Mk 1: 11). These words, recounted by the Evangelist Mark, bring us straight to the heart of today's feast of the Baptism of the Lord,...

Jubilee of Consecrated Life Homily of the Holy Father John Paul II February 2, 2000 Dear Brothers and Sisters! 1. There was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.... And there was a prophetess Anna (Lk 2: 25-26, 36). These two...

Jubilee of the Sick and Health-Care Workers Homily of the Holy Father John Paul II February 11, 2000 1. The day shall dawn upon us from on high (Lk 1: 78). With these words Zechariah foretold the Messiah's imminent coming into the world. In the Gospel passage just proclaimed, we relived the episode of the Visitation: Mary's visit to her cousin Elizabeth,...