END OF JUBILEE: PRAYER VIGIL AND POPE'S MEETING WITH CHILDREN

VATICAN CITY, DEC 22, 2000 (VIS) - From 10:30 p.m. on December 31, pilgrims who wish to do so may participate in a prayer vigil in St. Peter's Square for the transition to the new year. At midnight, they will receive an apostolic blessing imparted by Holy Father from the window of his study.

According to a communique from the Central Committee for the Great Jubilee 2000, the vigil, which includes the solemn and torch-lit celebration of the pilgrims' evening prayer, will extend to the moment of the blessing.

The communique goes on to state that the Central Committee has promoted another meeting of the Holy Father with children from all over the world, to take place in the Paul VI Hall on the afternoon of January 5, 2001. The gathering will be televised worldwide by RAI (Italian State Television). Just as the first Jubilee celebration of the Holy Year was the Jubilee of Children on January 2, 2000, so it closes with an event dedicated to them.

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