ANGELUS: BLESSING OF FIGURINES OF BABY JESUS

VATICAN CITY, DEC 16, 2001 (VIS) - Upon his return from visiting the Roman parish of St. Maria Josefa of the Heart of Jesus, John Paul II appeared at the window of his study in order to pray the angelus with pilgrims gathered in St. Peter's Square.

After the angelus and in keeping with tradition, the Pope blessed figurines of the Infant Jesus that had been brought to the square by the children of Rome. "I thank you," said the Holy Father, "for your Christmas greetings, and I return them with all my heart, invoking peace and serenity for you and your families."

The Pope went on to offer greetings, in English, to representatives of the United Nations World Food Programme who have completed a global survey on the feeding of children at school. "Hunger," he said, "is a continuing tragedy for millions of people around the world, and the school feeding programme has proved to be a very effective way of fighting it and helping the world's poorest children. I pray that the international community will generously support your work, and upon your efforts I invoke Almighty God's blessings of strength and perseverance."

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