POPE EXPRESSES "PAIN AND DISTRESS" FOR GENOA HOSTILITIES

VATICAN CITY, JUL 22, 2001 (VIS) - At noon today in Castelgandolfo, Pope John Paul appeared on the balcony overlooking the small central courtyard of the apostolic residence to recite the Angelus with the faithful gathered there.

In remarks made before the prayer, the Pope said, "I willingly return here among you and intend to remain in Castelgandolfo until my next apostolic trip which, please God, will be to Kazakhstan and Armenia towards the end of September."

The Holy Father then pointed out that today is the liturgical "memory of St. Mary Magdalene, disciple of the Lord and the first witness of His resurrection. Mary Magdalene's story shows how decisive it is for every human being to personally encounter Christ. It is Christ Who understands man's heart. It is He Who can realize man's hopes and desires as well as answer his concerns and the difficulties which mankind today faces on his daily path.

"And to Him we entrust today the results of the meeting of heads of state and government which is concluding in Genoa, not without, however, expressing pain and distress for the hostilities which exploded there, unfortunately with serious consequences. Violence is not the path for reaching a fair solution to the existing problems. To all those who truly have at heart human rights, I renew my encouragement to persevere in the commitment for a more just world, marked by a greater solidarity."

Following the Angelus, John Paul II greeted the faithful in French, English, German, Spanish, Portuguese and Italian.

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