WITH THE LORD'S HELP WE WILL OVERCOME CURRENT CHALLENGES

VATICAN CITY, APR 8, 2002 (VIS) - The Pope received in audience this morning members of the Papal Foundation, whose headquarters are in the United States, who have come to Rome on their annual pilgrimage.

John Paul II said that the "dire consequences of the tragic events of September 11 are still with us; the spiral of violence and armed hostility in the Holy Land - the land of our Lord's birth, death and Resurrection; a land held sacred by the three great monotheistic religions - has increased to unimaginable and intolerable levels; throughout the whole world men, women and children continue to suffer the ravages of war, poverty, injustice and exploitation of all kinds."

"Indeed," he continued, "we are currently experiencing a very difficult international situation. But the Lord's victory and his promise to remain with us 'until the end of the world' are beacons of light beckoning us to meet the challenges before us with courage and hope. The Papal Foundation itself, through the generosity of many, enables needed works to be carried out in the name of Christ and His Church."

The Holy Father concluded by assuring the members of the foundation that their "love and dedication to the Church and to the Successor of Peter are greatly appreciated."

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