LAZIO REGION CARABINIERI RECEIVED BY POPE JOHN PAUL

VATICAN CITY, FEB 26, 2001 (VIS) - Two-hundred Carabinieri from the Lazio region of Italy were welcomed today in the Vatican's Sala Clementina by the Holy Father, who expressed his appreciation for the service they performed for the many pilgrims and tourists during the Jubilee Year, especially in the city of Rome.

Observing that the Carabinieri are part of the Italian Armed Forces, the Pope recalled the November 19 Jubilee of the Military and Police Forces in St. Peter's Square. "On that occasion," he said, "I exhorted everyone to be 'ministers of the security and freedom of peoples,' and to be 'men of peace'.

"Today I repeat those words to you, as you undertake your mission in Rome. This city has a singular function in the sphere of Christianity, and it is important that everyone in it, from residents to pilgrims, from migrants to tourists, can live in a climate of respect for the human person and for the values regarding them. A climate, that is, which is fundamentally human and also Christian."

Highlighting every believer's call to holiness, Pope John Paul said that "the history of the Carabinieri shows one can reach the heights of sanctity." He referred to "your colleague, vice brigadier Salvo D'Aquisto, medal of valor recipient, whose beatification cause is underway."

AC;CARABINIERI;...;... ;VIS;20010226;Word: 220;