VATICAN CITY, DEC 2, 2004 (VIS) - This morning the Pope received Teodoro Obiang Guema, president of Equatorial Guinea, and recalled his trip to that country in 1982 where "the Church, through evangelization, develops with the means at her disposal generous achievements in education, health care, and in promoting the poor."
The Church, he said, "inspired by the Gospel, only wants to serve in promoting man's dignity, in a normal climate of freedom, cooperation, reconciliation, understanding and respect that facilitates the peaceful and fruitful execution of its spiritual and humanitarian mission."
John Paul expressed his desire that this meeting "may contribute to mutual understanding and cordial and peaceful relations between the public authorities and the Christian community, and that they will help all citizens in their desire to improve their conditions in life, so that they may be realized as persons and as sons and daughters of God."
"Grateful for your visit," he concluded, "I convey my best wishes for the entire Guinean people and I invoke God's blessings upon them to encourage them in their hopes and legitimate aspirations."
AC/EQUATORIAL GUINEA/OBIANG VIS 20041202 (190)
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