IN BRIEF

THE POPE TODAY RECEIVED THE PARTICIPANTS IN THE NINTH meeting of the post-synodal council of the general secretariat of the Synod of Bishops for the Special Assembly for America. He told them that among the current challenges they face are "the nefarious actions of sects; ... the sale and use of drugs; modern ideologies that believe that the concept of the family founded on marriage is outdated; the growing divide between the rich and poor; human rights violations; migration movements and the complex problem of foreign debt." He also referred to the "culture of death, which is expressed in many ways, such as the arms race" and "the unleashed violence of guerrilla warfare and international terrorism."

CARDINAL ADAM MAIDA, ARCHBISHOP OF DETROIT and the trustees of the John Paul II Cultural Center were welcomed by John Paul II today on the occasion of their annual pilgrimage to Rome. The Pope thanked them for their "support of the Center's work of promoting dialogue between the worlds of faith and culture. It is my hope that the Center will bring the truth of the Gospel and the wisdom of the Church's tradition to bear on the great issues shaping contemporary society. May your pilgrimage to the Eternal City lead all of you to deeper union with the Lord and His Church."

POPE JOHN PAUL WILL PRESIDE AT MASS ON NOVEMBER 11 at 11:30 a.m. in St. Peter's Basilica for the repose of the souls of the cardinals and bishops who died during the year. Mass will be celebrated by Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, dean of the College of Cardinals, together with other  cardinals.
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