.- Pope John Paul II paid tribute to the martyrs of the faith and to the thousands of Christians around the world throughout the centuries who lost their lives as they witnessed to the truth of the Gospel.
During the Angelus yesterday, the Pope also recalled in a special way, the "numerous Christians, who in the last century were victims of religious hatred in different European nations.
"Even today, in certain parts of the world," he said, "believers continue to be subjected to difficult trials because of their faith in Christ and to the Church."
The Pope prayed that these persecuted Christians may sense the solidarity of their fellow Christian brothers and sisters, and he entrusted them to the protection of the Virgin Mary, Queen of martyrs.
