“With this highly significant gesture you have wished to give a voice to the feelings of the people who live in this magnificent and special city: feelings of deep affection, gratitude and admiration for this Pope who has established a unique and extraordinarily strong relationship with Rome over the last 25 years”. With these words Camillo Ruini, Cardinal Vicar of Rome and President of the Italian Episcopal Conference, addressed the town council of Rome, which celebrated the 25th anniversary of John Paul II’s pontificate in a ceremony on the Campidoglio seat of the civic government on 13 October. “The spirit with which John Paul II lives his relationship with Rome, and with which he regards and loves this city – said Ruini, the first cardinal vicar to ascend the Capitoline Hill he himself expressed on 15 January 1998, here on the Campidoglio. Let me quote his words: “The Lord assigned to you, Rome, the task of being ‘prima inter Urbes’ in the world, and a beacon of civilization and faith. Live up to your glorious past, to the Gospel proclaimed to you, and to the Martyrs and Saints who have made your name great. Open, Rome, the riches of your heart and of your millennial history to Christ. Have no fear, He will not subdue your freedom or humiliate your greatness. He loves you and desires to make you worthy of your civil and religious vocation, so that you may continue to lavish the treasures of faith, culture and humanity on your children and on the men and women of our time”.
