At the close of this century, children are the buds of the third millennium. For their future they call for peace, to inherit a world of unity and brotherhood. The world must listen to their pleas.
Children incarnate hope, expectation, the potential of the human community.
They are witnesses and teachers of hope, feelings which they express with an outburst of joy. We cannot extinguish this hope in their hearts, we cannot suffocate their expectations of peace''. This is our responsibility, our duty, as we move towards the historic milestone of the Year 2000, an important step in the path of humanity''. The pope then gave his New Year's blessing, in six languages, and wished for ''a year of serenity and peace, illuminated by the constant blessing of God. My thoughts go especially out to those who are sick, who suffer or are in difficulty.