ANGELUS: POPE REFLECTS ON TRIP, RELEASES DOVES OF PEACE

VATICAN CITY, JAN 31, 1999 (VIS) - "Today the Pope has a slight cold, so his words will be brief," John Paul II told the large crowd of faithful gathered in St. Peter's Square for the Sunday angelus.

In remarks preceding the angelus, the Pope reflected on his recent trip: "Three days ago I returned from my pilgrimage to Mexico City and to St. Louis in the United States, and I thank God for having given me this possibility. We entrust the destiny of the American peoples and their new evangelization to the Virgin of Guadalupe, patroness of Mexico and of the entire continent."

He then pointed out that among those present "are many young boys and girls of Catholic Action in Rome, who have come at the end of the 'Month of Peace' with their parents, teachers and so many of their peers. My dear young people, the theme of your initiative this year is 'We are in time for peace'. Yes, this is part of the mission of every Christian: to remind everyone that we are always in time for peace."

Two Catholic Action representatives, a boy of 12 and girl of 10, were with the Pope at his study window as part of this traditional celebration. "The two doves which we will release shortly," said Pope John Paul in concluding, "represent a wish of peace for Rome and the entire world, which we entrust to the Holy Virgin."

ANG;...;...;CATHOLIC ACTION;VIS;19990201;Word: 250;