Familyfest 2005 … to the Pope for the family Family  11/05/2005

Dearest families gathered in Rome and in many parts of the world for FAMILYFEST! After a long absence, through this brief message I want to be present with you all today. Thank you for your generosity and your active participation in this event, which you want to be a tribute to our unforgettable Pope John Paul II, who, in our mind, is already a saint. Our meeting today is also an opportunity, among other things, to give maximum visibility to the model of the family that John Paul II envisioned and taught us to live, that is, a family based on values drawn from the Christian faith. The source of these values is authentic love, which comes from the very heart of God. It is therefore a love that never ends, is the first to love everyone, knows how to forgive, is fruitful and is open to life, to those who are the weakest, to the full sharing of goods and to solidarity with all. These values can also be found in the major world religions and cultures, and therefore, reflect the deepest aspirations of every man and woman on earth. Thus the family, which is called to live mutual love in all cultures and in every environment, becomes the source of social relationships, promoting basic human values and universal brotherhood. My hope is that you may all be like this, that you may always and everywhere be witnesses to the love that builds peace. In this way, we will draw closer to the day when “all will be one” on earth. Let’s live for this great Ideal together! Dearest families all over the world, I hope to see you very soon