AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, JAN 3, 2002 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in separate audiences:

- Leszek Miller, prime minister of the Republic of Poland, accompanied by his wife and an entourage.
- Cardinal Ignace Moussa I Daoud, prefect of the Congregation for Oriental Churches.
- Cardinal Mario Francesco Pompedda, prefect of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signature.

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2001: MORE THAN TWO AND A HALF MILLION FAITHFUL MET POPE

VATICAN CITY, JAN 3, 2002 (VIS) - The Prefecture of the Pontifical Household has made public a communique announcing that, in the year 2001, 2,558,300 faithful participated at meetings with the Pope in Rome.

During the last 12 months, 550,000 people took part in the 43 Wednesday general audiences; 218,300 in special audiences; 980,000 in liturgical celebrations and 810,000 in the angelus.

October saw the greatest participation in general audiences, with a total of 93,000; the same month also saw the greatest number of participants at special audiences, 50,500. April - the month in which Holy Week fell - had the highest number of participants at liturgical celebrations, 307,000 and December saw the greatest number of faithful united for the angelus, with a total of 230,000.

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DECLARATION REGARDING AUDIENCE WITH POLISH PRIME MINISTER

VATICAN CITY, JAN 3, 2002 (VIS) - At midday today, Holy See Press Office Director Joaquin Navarro-Valls released the following declaration:

"This morning, the Holy Father received in audience Leszek Miller, prime minister of the Republic of Poland, accompanied by his family and an entourage.

"Later, the prime minister was received by Cardinal Secretary of State Angelo Sodano.

"In the course of the cordial discussions, consideration was given to the relationship between the Holy See and Poland in the light of that country's great religious tradition.

"Attention was also given to the problems of European integration and of the international situation."

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OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, JAN 3, 2002 (VIS) - The Holy Father accepted the resignation from the pastoral care of New Orleans, U.S.A., presented by Archbishop Francis B. Schulte, upon having reached the age limit. He is succeeded by Archbishop Alfred C. Hughes, coadjutor of the same archdiocese.

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