24-November-2004 -- Catholic World News Brief
Rome, Nov. 24 (CWNews.com) - Mel Gibson's film,
The Passion of the Christ , has been chosen for the international St. Anthony
award for excellence in cinema, Archbishop John Foley announced on November 24.
Archbishop Foley, the president of the Pontifical Council for Social
Communications, said that Gibson's film had stirred the hearts of thousands of
viewers with "a message of love and hope." The St. Anthony was
established in 1998 by the international Franciscan publication St. Anthony's
Messenger , to honor those who promote Christian principles in film and
television.
The award will be presented on November 25, at a ceremony in the basilica of
St. Anthony of Padua. Cardinal Paul Poupard, the president of the Pontifical
Council for Culture, will preside at the ceremony.