Pope John Paul II has said the approach of 2000 is evoking great interest among people searching for a sign of God in our times. The Pope, speaking in a bull announcing the "Great Jubilee of the Year 2000", invited peoples of all religions as well as "those who are far from faith in God" to celebrate the jubilee of the birth of Christ in Rome, but especially in the "Holy Land" of Jerusalem.
He hoped the jubilee would advance "mutual dialogue until the day when all of us together - Jews, Christians and Muslims - will exchange the greeting of peace in Jerusalem."
While acknowledging that there were many incidents of exclusion, injustice and persecution perpetuated against the Roman Catholic Church through the years, the Pope said that the church should "kneel before God and implore forgiveness for the past and present sins of our sons and daughters".