Here is a translation of the Holy Father's Italian-language homily, which was read by Cardinal Arinze. Christ said these words to the Apostles in the Upper Room the day before his death on the Cross. Today we must return to that beginning. Love is from God. He has loved us with an eternal love in his Son, and in the fullness of time he sent this Son into the world, so that through him we might have life.
Love gives life.
Therefore, whoever loves knows God, because he bears God within himself. He knows him who is Love. He knows the Son, and through the Son he knows the Father and abides in the Father's love. This is the eternal beginning of the Gospel and of evangelization. Today we wish to give special thanks to God for this.