POPE RECEIVES DELEGATION FROM "TRA NOI" MOVEMENT

VATICAN CITY, MAR 8, 2002 (VIS) - John Paul II today received a delegation from the "Tra Noi" Movement, founded fifty years ago by the Italian priest Fr. Sebastiano Plutino in order to help female domestic workers who come to Rome from poorer provinces in Italy.

Noting that the visit coincided with International Women's Day, the Pope emphasized that, from the beginning, the "Tra Noi" Movement had dedicated "all its energy to the human and religious promotion of the woman. ... I take advantage of this opportunity to express my spiritual closeness to women facing difficulty, in the hope that there are always people willing to help them so that they may fully realize their legitimate aspirations."

"I invite you to look with hope to the prospects that open before you. Old and new social orders which are in danger and marginalized, await your service. For example, immigrants, the elderly with problems and young people in search of solid points of reference."

"Spreading the 'spirituality of acceptance,' you can be the architects of an authentic and universal fraternity, where every human being feels welcome without the distinction of social class, religion, culture or nationality."

The Pope concluded by referring to the "family" and "youth" projects of the "Tra Noi" Movement; He urged them to foster "among the new generations an open and accepting mind," and he insisted on the necessity to "maintain daily, living contact with God because ... only men and women of prayer can be craftsmen of effective social and apostolic action."

AC;...;...;TRA NOI MOVEMENT ;VIS;20020308;Word: 260;