ALBANIA: ARCHBISHOP CORDES CONVEYS POPE'S SOLIDARITY

VATICAN CITY, MAR 31, 1999 (VIS) - Archbishop Paul Cordes, president of the Pontifical Council "Cor Unum" is today in Albania to "bring to the refugees of such an inhumane tragedy" as that of Kosovo, writes John Paul II in a message to the prelate, "my spiritual and material solidarity and that of the entire Christian people."

Having stated that the conflict in Kosovo "is causing untold suffering to peoples, and is sowing hate, violence and death," the Pope adds: "I am closely following the development of the situation and I pray to the Lord, Father of Mercy, that He take pity on his children who are being so sorely tried."

"Tell the children, mothers and elderly people that you meet," he writes, "that the Pope is with them, and that he will continue to be with them until a just and lasting peace reigns in the lands of the Balkans. In this twentieth century, those peoples have seen too much bloodshed and too many tears. May the peace so longed-for finally be established."

The Cor Unum president, who will convey the Pope's message, will visit refugees at the Kukes camp and will meet with the president of the Republic of Albania and with those responsible for the local church, and particularly with Caritas.

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