POPE ASKS SPIRITUAL, MATERIAL SUPPORT FOR CLOISTERED NUNS

VATICAN CITY, NOV 20, 2002 (VIS) - At the end of the catechesis at today's general audience, the Holy Father greeted in various languages the estimated 7,000 pilgrims present in the Paul VI Hall, and also recalled that tomorrow is the Day of Cloistered Nuns.

"Tomorrow," he said, "memory of the presentation in the temple of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Church thinks with particular affection of cloistered nuns. Their prayerful presence in so many parts of the world is a reminder for Christians not to forget the primacy of God in life.

"These sisters have chosen to dedicate themselves totally to prayer and to live on what Providence brings to them through the generosity of the faithful. While I express my great appreciation to them for the indispensable contribution they offer to evangelization, I invite everyone to support them through their own spiritual and material aid."

Among the Italians present today was a group of seminarians from the Benedict XV Regional Pontifical Seminary in Bologna. "My dear friends," said John Paul II, "with today's visit you wish to remember the 80th anniversary of the death of this unforgettable predecessor of mine, a tireless herald of peace during the first World War. May his example be for you a stimulus to be in every time and place workers of peace."

At the conclusion of the audience the Pope had special words of welcome and encouragement for young people, the ill and newlyweds.

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