Washington, D.C. - The Knights of Columbus can offer the world a powerful sign of the presence of the kingdom of God on earth if its members live hope-filled lives centered on Christ and his Gospel. That was the message contained in greetings from Pope John Paul II to the Knights' 121st annual Supreme Council meeting in Washington, Aug. 5. The papal greetings were delivered by Archbishop Gabriel Montalvo, apostolic nuncio to the United States.

The pope encouraged the Knights to continue its programs of spiritual renewal for the Church. By growing in the faith, the pope wrote, one becomes capable of "discerning the authentic signs of the times, judging all worldly realities in the light of the Gospel, and working to ensure every sphere of personal, social and political life is enlightened by the values of the Gospel."

Noting that the "Church in many parts of the world has been tried severely," the pope asked Knights to "reaffirm their confidence in the power of God's word" to solve "the grave problems afecting individuals and society." The Knights, the pope wrote, "can offer our world a powerful sign of the presence of God's kingdom and an attractive reason to rediscover the reasons for the Church's hope."

The pope also thanked the Knights for programs in support of bishops, priests and religious.

"I am particularly grateful," he wrote, "for the support which the Knights have given in the public forum regarding freedom in education, the truth about marriage and family life, and the need to respect the dignity and rights of each human person, from conception to natural death."

The pope also asked the Knights to pray the rosary, calling it an "outstanding prayer for peace."

The pope concluded his letter, signed by him on July 25, by imparting his apostolic blessing on the Knights and their families.