POPE MAKES AN APPEAL ON BEHALF OF LEPERS

VATICAN CITY, JAN 16, 2000 (VIS) - At midday today, after praying the angelus with the faithful gathered in St. Peter's Square, the Pope greeted participants in a congress on Hansen's disease. The congress, which was held yesterday in the Vatican, was promoted by the Pontifical Council for Pastoral Assistance to Health Care Workers and the Italian Association of the Friends of Raoul Follereau.
"I wish to express my appreciation for their commitment in support of those struck by leprosy, of whom there are still around fifteen million in the world today.

"I trust that the year 2000 will mark a decisive step forward for the healing and recovery of these, our brothers. In fact, leprosy is curable with medicines that are relatively inexpensive but that are often beyond the reach of the sick due to their great poverty. In the final analysis, the most dangerous 'leprosy' is misery, which must be combatted on an economic level and, above all, through a deep-rooted conversion from the logic of egoism to that of solidarity. May the Holy Year arouse in Christian souls a generous openness towards all our brothers and sisters in need."

ANG;LEPERS;...;...;VIS;20000117;Word: 200;