THANKS TO CHRISTMAS CONCERT ARTISTS

VATICAN CITY, DEC 14, 2001 (VIS) - This morning, John Paul II received the artists who are to perform tomorrow, December 15, in the traditional "Christmas in the Vatican" concert, which will be held in the Paul VI Hall.

"Your wish", said the Pope, "is to call public attention to a need that the Christian communities of the city of Rome feel very deeply: the lack of churches and places of worship, especially in some outlying suburbs.

"Through your performance," he continued, "you seek to raise funds to finance concrete plans for churches and welcome centers. Thanks also to you, the faithful will be able to better express their faith, being able to count upon appropriate places for their prayer and catechism meetings and for other pastoral and social activities."

The Holy Father concluded by requesting that Christmas, "this great Christian celebration, may be the appropriate occasion for everyone to discover and experience how much God loves mankind, each man and woman, all men and women!"

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