AUDIENCE: GREETINGS TO PILGRIM GROUPS PRESENT

VATICAN CITY, FEB 14, 2001 (VIS) - Following today's general audience catechesis in Italian, and summaries of the talk in French, English, Spanish, Portuguese and German, the Holy Father greeted a number of groups present in the Paul VI Hall in various languages. He also had special words, as is customary each week, for young people, newlyweds and the sick.

The Pope welcomed the participants in the annual meeting of the Bishop Friends of the Focolare Movement, currently underway at the Mariapolis Center in Castelgandolfo. He expressed "cordial acknowledgment for this visit, which allows me to express appreciation for your efforts to favor growth in communion in the heart of episcopal conferences and in diocesan communities and to encourage a productive dialogue with the wide world of other religions."

John Paul II then greeted the participants in a course sponsored by "Studium" magazine for future postulators and collaborators of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints. He said he hoped they would "receive personal spiritual benefits from the course, drawing on the great patrimony of the Church, that of holiness, and enrich it with your personal Christian witness."

In closing, the Pope turned his thoughts "to the Belarussian children, guests of the convent of Friars Minor Capuchins in Fiuggi. May the Lord protect you and all who have generously welcomed you."

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