JOHN PAUL II ARRIVES IN GUATEMALA CITY

VATICAN CITY, JUL 29, 2002 (VIS) - John Paul II arrived at the international airport in Guatemala City at 3 p.m. (local time), where he was received by President Alfonso Portillo Cabrera. In addition, Guatemalan bishops, political and civil authorities and the diplomatic corp welcomed the Pope. Present at the welcome ceremony were presidents and prime ministers of the 6 other nations in Central America: Belize, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and the Dominican Republic.

In his speech, addressed to everyone who had come to greet him, the Holy Father manifested his joy on his third visit to Guatemala and recalled the character of Blessed Pedro de Betancur whom he will canonize tomorrow.

This celebration, he continued, "must be a true moment of grace and renewal for Guatemala. In effect, the example of his life and the eloquence of his message are a valuable contribution to the construction of a society which is being exposed to the challenges of the third millennium." Afterward, the Pope expressed the desire that the Guatemalan people, "thirsty for God and for spiritual values, anxious for peace and reconciliation, as much in their heart, as with neighboring peoples and brothers, that they may live in solidarity and justice and enjoy the dignity that they deserve."

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