AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, FEB 4, 2003 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in audience six prelates from the National Conference of Bishops of Brazil (Midwestern and Northern Regions II) on their "ad limina" visit:

- Bishop Antonio Lino da Silva Dinis of Itumbiara.

- Bishop Giulherme Antonio Werlang, M.S.F., of Ipameri.

- Bishop Miguel Angelo Freitas Ribeiro of Tocantinopolis.

- Bishop Alessio Saccardo, S.J., of Ponta de Pedras.

- Bishop Carmelo Scampa of Sao Luis de Montes Belos.

- Bishop Erwin Krautler, C.PP.S., of Xingu.

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LENTEN MESSAGE: "IT IS MORE BLESSED TO GIVE THAN TO RECEIVE"

VATICAN CITY, FEB 4, 2003 (VIS) - Archbishop Paul Josef Cordes, president of the Pontifical Council "Cor Unum," will preside at a press conference in the Holy See Press Office at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, February 6, for the presentation of Pope John Paul's Message for Lent 2003 on the theme "It is more blessed to give than to receive."

Joining him will be Msgr. Karel Kasteel, secretary of the pontifical council, and Fr. Oreste Benzi, founder of the Pope John XXIII Association. The Message will be published in Italian, French, English, German, Spanish and Portuguese.

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