POPE THANKS ITALIAN AND VATICAN POLICE FOR WORK DURING JUBILEE

VATICAN CITY, JAN 15, 2001 (VIS) - Pope John Paul today welcomed 110 members of Italian and Vatican security forces and thanked them both for the gift of a Cross which they gave him this morning as well as for the additional work they took on during the Jubilee Year 2000.

"Thank God," began the Pope, "the intense Jubilee days took place without any serious episodes of disorder or danger. Rather, the dominant climate was without doubt that of serenity. And precisely for this reason I feel I must give due credit to the security forces who knew how to prevent and to be vigilant, benefitting everyone."

The Pope then referred to some of the special Holy Year events, "such as World Youth Day, the Jubilee of Families, of Workers, of the Disabled and so many other Jubilee appointments," and said "I realize how many difficulties you had to face. I saw you collaborate with intelligence and generosity with the Jubilee volunteers."

The Holy Father said he hoped they "were able to experience positively the climate of faith and Christian joy which Rome lived in an intense way in recent months. ... The Jubilee is over, but an indelible sign remains in our hearts. Nothing can be as it was before!"

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