On the occasion of the eighth public session of the Pontifical Academies, the Pope sent a message to Cardinal Paul Poupard, president of the coordinating Council for the Pontifical Academies.
In the message, dated November 3, the Holy Father writes that "the theme of the public session, 'Martyrs and Monuments to their Memories, Living Stones in the Building of Europe,' offers a singular key to understanding the historical change that we are living through in Europe. It means we must discover the profound link between yesterday and today's history, between the evangelical testimony courageously offered by so many men and women in the first centuries of the Christian era and the testimony, also in our times, that many believers in Christ continue to offer to the world to reaffirm the supremacy of Christ's Gospel and of charity."
"If the memory of Christians who sacrificed their life to reaffirm their faith is lost, the modern age with its projects and ideals, would lose a precious component since human and religious values would no longer be supported by concrete testimony, manifested in history."
After emphasizing that "persecution is fortunately no longer a problem" in Europe, John Paul II says that Christians, "together with all men and women of good will, are called to build a true 'common house,' which is not only a political and economic edifice but also a 'house' rich with memories, values, spiritual contents. These values have found and continue to find in the Cross an eloquent symbol that embodies and expresses them."
