POPE THANKS PILGRIMS FOR PRAYERS FOR HIS MINISTRY

VATICAN CITY, OCT 13, 1999 (VIS) - Following today's weekly general audience, the Pope addressed a group of Slovakian pilgrims in their language, and thanked them for their prayers for his ministry. On October 16, Pope John Paul will mark the 21st anniversary of his election to that ministry.
"Dear brothers and sisters, during the various encounters with you I often hear you sing: 'Lord, bless the Holy Father, Vicar of Christ!' I thank you for the prayers and sacrifices with which you accompany my ministry as Pastor of the universal Church. The Pope also prays for you."

"My thoughts also go to Our Lady of Fatima, whose final apparition we commemorate precisely today," he said in Italian. "I entrust you, dear young people, to the heavenly Mother of God, so that you might respond generously to the Lord's call. To those of you who are ill, may Mary comfort you in your sufferings. And to you, dear newlyweds, may she be by your side as you start your family life."

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