POPE RECEIVES KING AND QUEEN AND BIDS FAREWELL TO SPAIN

VATICAN CITY, MAY 4, 2003 (VIS) - This afternoon, after having lunch with seven Spanish cardinals and members of the episcopal conference and the papal entourage in the apostolic nunciature, John Paul II received King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia. He then travelled in the popemobile to the airport for a farewell ceremony in which there were no speeches. After saying goodbye to the president of the government and to the civil, religious and military authorities, he then bid farewell to the King and Queen and boarded the plane.

After landing in Rome's Ciampino Airport at 9:30 p.m., the Pope went by car to the Vatican, concluding his 99th apostolic trip outside of Italy and his fifth trip to Spain.

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