Vatican City, Sep 28, 2004 / 22:00 pm
During today’s general audience in Saint Peter’s Square, Pope John Paul II greeted some of his fellow Poles in Rome on pilgrimmage with the ‘Solidarity’ movement, and expresses his hope that the spirit of ‘Solidarity’ is infused throughout a united Europe.
"This movement, born in Poland, opened up the doors to freedom in many countries in Europe,” the Pope said. “I am happy because the spirit of 'Solidarity' continues to unite so many people in our country. I hope that this healthy spirit may also penetrate a united Europe."
The Pope’s audience focused on Psalm 44, "The king's wedding feast," which is a poem in honor of the Jewish sovereign, composed by a scribe.
According to Jewish tradition, explained the Holy Father, this text "is a hymn to the Messiah-King. Christian tradition, however, reads the passage in a Christological light, and, with the queen's presence, also in a mariological perspective."
"The Letter to the Hebrews, applying the psalm to Christ, does not hesitate to recognize the divine plenitude, which is not merely symbolic, of the Son of God who enters into His glory," he said in conclusion.