Wednesday, May 12, 2004

POPE GREETS FIRST COMMUNICANTS, PRAYS FOR PEACE


VATICAN CITY, MAY 12, 2004 (VIS) - At the end of today's general audience and the weekly catechesis in Italian, French, English. Spanish, German and Portuguese, the Pope greeting the 15,000 faithful in St. Peter's Square in those languages as well as Dutch, Croatian, Slovak and Polish.

  John Paul II greeted his fellow Poles and said he was especially happy "for the presence of a large group of children making their First Communion in the church of St. Stanislaw in Rome. I entrust to God all children who at this time of year are receiving Christ in their hearts for the first time. I hope they may nourish the spirit of faith of their parents and their dear ones. May they learn to love Jesus with all their lives and, with Our Lady's help may they persevere in the faith."

  The Pope then welcomed members of an Italian association that promotes peace, accompanied by several bishops from Tuscany. "To them and to all present I renew my invitation to pray for peace in the world, especially in Iraq and the Middle East. With the support of the international community, may those dear populations be able to start walking decisively on  the path of reconciliation, dialogue and cooperation."

  In closing remarks to young people, the sick and the newlyweds, he noted that tomorrow is the liturgical memory of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Fatima. "I exhort you all to incessantly turn to Our Lady with faith, entrusting to her your every need."
AG/GREETINGS/...        VIS 20040512 (260)


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