POPE CONGRATULATES KOFI ANNAN, U.N., FOR NOBEL PEACE PRIZE

VATICAN CITY, OCT 15, 2001 (VIS) - Following is the text of the telegram sent by Pope John Paul to United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan who was the co-recipient, along with the U.N., of the 2001 Nobel Peace Prize:

"With joy I have learned that the United Nations Organization and you, its secretary general, have been chosen as the recipients of this year's Nobel Peace Prize. I warmly congratulate you on this well-deserved recognition of your efforts to build up the U.N. system to enable it to respond ever more effectively to the difficult challenges constantly arising out of a world situation marked by seemingly insurmountable imbalances, tensions and the nonobservance of human rights. In your case the Nobel Peace Prize crowns a lifetime dedicated to serving peace and justice and the well-being of the world's peoples. I assure you of my continuing prayers."

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