ACTA APOSTOLICAE SEDIS - La Santa Sede

Acta Ioannis Pauli Pp. II 89
elderly, all of you who are taking part in this Eucharistie Congress by
your présence here physically or spiritually : the Church of Jesus Christ
which has taken root throughout the earth offers to the world with
joy and gratitude, through my ministry as Bishop of Rome and Successor
of Peter, the Eucharistie message of this Congress.
The Church sees in this Congress a particular resuit of all her
missionary and pastoral labours since the beginning of evangelization
on the African continent, and for this resuit she gives thanks and
praise to the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
At the same time, drawing from the young and lively faith of
Africa, the whole Church desires to renew her missionary zeal just
as the Second Vatican Council manifested it twenty years ago; for
the Church is by her very nature missionary !
May Christ in the Eucharist, as "the grain of wheat" fallen on
the soil of Africa, bring forth in his body the Church a rieh harvest
for eternai life! Amen.
* * *
Nairobiae, ad Organismos ab omnibus nationibus ibi extantes habita.*
1. It is always an honour for me to visit one of the Agencies of the
United Nations. The ever increasing importance of this prestigious
Organization becomes more evident every year. At no time in history
has there been a greater need for dialogue and collaboration at the
international level, and for joint efforts by nations to promote integral
human development and to further justice and peace—precisely the
goals to which the United Nations Organization is dedicated.
I am very grateful then for the invitation to corne to this Centre
today, an invitation which was extended to me by Dr Mostafa K. Tolba,
the Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme.
In greeting him, I also greet the staff and ali associated in the Agency's
work. At the same time, I off er a cordial greeting to the staff of
HABITAT: the United Nations Centre for Human Settlements, also
located here in Nairobi, and to its Executive Director, Dr Arcot
Ramachandran.
2. For many years now, the Catholic Church has taken an active
interest in questions concerning the environment. A Delegation of the
* Die 18 m. Augusti a. 1985.