Vatican City, Oct 15, 2003 / 22:00 pm
Close to 200 Cardinals from around are gathering in Rome this week to take part in a Congress on the Pontificate of Pope John Paul II. The meeting, which is taking place in the Synod Hall of the Vatican, will continue until Saturday.
In his opening remarks, Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, Dean of the College of Cardinals and Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, told the prelates the Holy Father has taught us to follow Jesus in a world that resists His call.
Cardinal Ratzinger gave thanks to God "for giving us this shepherd who confirms us, his brothers, in the faith in a time filled with confusion and danger."
"At a time when so many no longer wish to follow the Lord" because His words seem to hard, the Pope, echoing the words of Peter, tells us, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You alone have the words of eternal life."