IRELAND PLAYS ESSENTIAL ROLE IN THE BUILDING OF NEW EUROPE

VATICAN CITY, NOV 6, 2003 (VIS) - Today the Pope received in audience Mary McAleese, president of Ireland, on the occasion of her visit to Rome in order to participate in the celebrations for the 375(th) anniversary of the Pontifical Irish College.

John Paul II expressed his 'deep affection for the Irish people' and asked the president to convey his 'warm greetings and the assurance of his prayers' to the citizens of her country.

'Ireland,' he said, 'with its rich Christian history and its outstanding patrimony of spiritual and cultural values, has an essential role to play in the building of the new Europe and the affirmation of its deepest identity. It is my hope,' he concluded, 'that the Gospel message will provide continued inspiration and encouragement to all who are committed to the advancement of Ireland in the path of justice and solidarity, and above all in the great work of national reconciliation.'

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