THE POPE RECEIVES CHRISTMAS CONCERT ARTISTS

VATICAN CITY, DEC 13, 2002 (VIS) - This morning John Paul II received in audience the artists who will perform tomorrow, December 14, in the traditional "Christmas in the Vatican" concert in the Paul VI Hall.

After expressing his appreciation and gratitude to all who collaborated in this event, the Pope recalled that the purpose of "this artistic date is to contribute to the efforts of the diocese of Rome toward the construction of new churches with adjacent parochial facilities in peripheral areas of the city."

"You have done so much already," he continued, "with a spirit of Christian solidarity, participating in a concrete way in the program of the new evangelization that involves all believers."

At the end, the Holy Father expressed once again his "sincere thanks" to the artists "in the name of the parish communities who will benefit from your generosity."

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