POPE VISITS NATIVITY SCENE OF ROMAN STREET CLEANERS

VATICAN CITY, JAN 13, 2002 (VIS) - This afternoon John Paul II visited, as he does every year, the nativity scene built by the street cleaners of Rome. The Pope was greeted by the mayor of Rome and the personnel of the organization whose job it is to clean the streets of the capital.

The Holy Father expressed the wish that 2002 "may be a year of serenity and peace. ... Each and every individual must construct peace in their own environment. May believers and all people of good will welcome the announcement of peace proclaimed by the angels over the manger in Bethlehem. That call also sounds out for us today as we pause before the nativity scene that, with sincere faith, you have been building each year for thirty years now. May the Lord, Prince of peace, be your daily support; turn to Him with faith. His love will give new meaning to all your activities and aspirations."

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