JOHN PAUL II SPEAKS OF "TRAGIC NEWS" FROM EAST TIMOR

VATICAN CITY, SEP 29, 1999 (VIS) - At the conclusion of today's general audience in St. Peter's Square, the Holy Father observed that "in these days, the tragic news of massacres against defenseless citizens, against Christians, priests and religious who have spent their lives in the service of others, continues to arrive from East Timor."

"In particular," he added, "I learned with profound sadness that on Saturday afternoon near Baucau numerous people were assassinated, including two Canossian missionaries."

He asked for prayers for "all the victims of the Timor tragedy," and stated: "Let us ask the Lord that the example of these witnesses of charity, right up to the final giving of themselves, might contribute to the birth of a future of hope in East Timor."

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