POPE JOHN PAUL, ROMAN CURIA CONCLUDE WEEKLONG RETREAT

VATICAN CITY, MAR 15, 2003 (VIS) - This morning Pope John Paul concluded his weeklong retreat with members of the Roman Curia in the Vatican's Redemptoris Mater Chapel, calling these past days "a privileged occasion to encounter the Lord."

He expressed his "cordial thanks" to the retreat master, Archbishop Angelo Comastri, prelate of Loreto, who the Pope said, "with pastoral delicacy, with a wealth of ascetic indications, with wisdom and devotion, has guided our steps towards an encounter with God. ... Together with you we have gone through many pages of Scripture, discovering new and fascinating perspectives. ... We have also listened to examples and witnesses from our times, who have invigorated us in our decision to abandon ourselves with trust to the arms of God, Whose mercy 'extends from generation to generation'."

"You also," the Pope told him, "turned our attention to Our Lady, calling her the most faithful creature because she was the most humble of creatures."

John Paul II added that he "would like to thank everyone who helped us these days by preparing the liturgy, the songs and the meetings in this Redemptoris Mater Chapel whose mosaics make us feel close in prayer to our Eastern brothers." He concluded by thanking everyone who had been close to them through prayer during the retreat.

At the end of the spiritual exercises, the Pope imposed the pallium on Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, dean of the College of Cardinals.

AC;CONCLUSION RETREAT;...;...;VIS;20030317;Word: 240;