EDITORIAL: The pope's message (07/01/01)

EDITORIAL

The pope's message

The word "historic" may be inadequate to describe the significance of the visit of Pope John Paul II to Ukraine. From the moment he set foot on Ukrainian soil and kissed that soil as an expression of the deep joy that he felt upon finally realizing a dream he had harbored for as long as 14 years, the pope delivered a profound message to all who were willing to listen. Millions came to see or hear him. Millions more watched on TV in Ukraine and around the globe.

At the outset, Pope John Paul II laid out his mission: "I come among you, dear citizens of Ukraine, as a friend of your noble nation. I come as a brother in the faith to embrace all the Christians who, amid the severest of tribulations, have persevered in their fidelity to Christ. I come in love, to express to all the sons and daughters of this nation, to Ukrainians of every cultural and religious background, my esteem and my cordial friendship ..."

As he prayed before the miraculous icon of the Mother of God of Zarvanytsia, the pontiff entrusted his apostolic journey to her and petitioned her to "spread your mantle over all Christians and over all people of good will who live in this great nation." Paying homage to Kyiv as the "cradle of the Christian culture of the whole of Eastern Europe," he prayed for the unity of all Christians. Repeatedly, he gave thanks for the "gift" of his visit to Ukraine, land of the ancient Kyivan Rus, where Christianity had arrived more than a thousand years earlier.

The pope spoke also of the future, hoping to touch Ukraine's leaders and its youth.

To the leaders of the land, those active in the reams of politics, culture, the sciences and business, Pope John Paul II quoted the words of Volodymyr Monomakh, ruler of Kyivan Rus', who wrote in his "Pouchennia Ditiam" (Instruction to My Children): "Do not allow the powerful to destroy mankind." What simple, yet meaningful and ever-relevant words! Pope John Paul II told his powerful audience: "serve the people and ensure peace," "contribute to authentic human progress under the banner of the civilization of love and equal rights," "respect human dignity," "keep in mind the general good and the just rights of all."

To the leaders of the future, the youths of today, he presented "anew" the Lord's Ten Commandments. "The decalogue is like a compass in a stormy sea which enables us to keep on course and reach land"; they are a reference point "for building your present and your future," he said. The holy father cautioned young people against materialism and urged them to place "the common good before private interests."

Following the unsettled weather and the unsettling social climate of Kyiv, the culmination of Pope John Paul's visit came on a gloriously sunny day in Lviv, where at least 1 million attended the Byzantine-rite divine liturgy celebrated in the Ukrainian language. He beatified 28 martyrs for the faith and servants of God, and he took special care to refer to the "far-sighted and solid pastoral activity of the Servant of God Metropolitan Andrey Sheptytsky, whose cause of beatification is proceeding and whom we hope to see one day in the glory of the saints." (We share that hope.)

As he left the territory of Ukraine, Pope John Paul II cited the "solemn warning of your great poet Taras Shevchenko": "Only in your own house will you find truth, strength and freedom." He also focused on the hope for a better future: "People of Ukraine, it is into the fertile soil of your own traditions that the roots of your future stretch! Together you can build that future; together you will be able to face the challenges of the present time, inspired by the common ideals that form the indelible heritage of your past and recent history. The mission is common to all; may the commitment taken on by the entire Ukrainian people also be common to all!"

Truly a message of hope and empowerment. May it resonate throughout Ukraine.

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