HOLY FATHER'S PLEAS FOR PEOPLE OF NIGERIA AND MOZAMBIQUE

VATICAN CITY, FEB 25, 2000 (VIS) - At the conclusion of this morning's Mass in Cairo's Sports Stadium, Pope John Paul thanked everyone "who contributed to the beauty, joy and fervor of this celebration," and then spoke of the tragedies which had occurred in Nigeria and Mozambique.

"I have learned with sorrow," he said, speaking French, "that in Nigeria tension has caused many deaths. While deploring every form of violence, I pray the Lord that all inhabitants of this country might adhere to living in fraternity, based on respect for persons and on religious freedom. These values can only open to the future for the Nigerian nation.

"I also entrust to the Lord the peoples of Mozambique, struck by very serious flooding, May they find the effective solidarity which they need in the international community."

Then, in English, Pope John Paul added; "I greet all the brothers and sisters of the Church in Sudan, some of whom are present here. I pray for you." He closed by saying "thank you" in Arabic; "Shukran! Shukran!

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