LANGUAGE GREETINGS AND AN APPEAL TO HELP REFUGEES

VATICAN CITY, JUN 14, 2000 (VIS) - Following today's catechesis in Italian, and summaries in English, French, Spanish, German and Portuguese, the Pope greeted a number of special groups present at the Wednesday general audience, including pilgrims from the Czech Republic, Lithuania, Slovakia and Albania.

Speaking French, he also had a special welcome for "the European representatives of the monastic inter-religious dialogue who, on the occasion of the great Jubilee, wished to hold your annual meeting in Rome, first going to Subiaco, a place made holy by the memory of St. Benedict. You have come as pilgrims, recalling that all of monastic life is a pilgrimage, a constant search for God. Pilgrims of the infinite, you invite all men to affirm their interior life in order to make it God's home. Along your path, you meet others who seek the Absolute, which allows you to have a respectful and profound dialogue with them."

Using their language, the Holy Father greeted "the group of Albanians who a short time ago received Baptism. My wish is that your Jubilee pilgrimage to the tombs of the Apostles will confirm you in the faith and in Christian life."

The Pope then recalled that "on June 16, diverse governmental organizations which work for refugees will celebrate the International Day of the Refugee, whereas on June 20, the annual Day of the African Refugee, promoted by the Organization for African Unity, will take place.

"In the spirit of the recent Jubilee of Migrants, I wish to thank all who dedicate themselves to those millions of forced migrants who are refugees and asylum seekers. To those nations which must yet adopt adequate laws to care for these people, I send a heartfelt appeal in this Jubilee year asking that this be taken care of with solicitude."

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