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His Holiness Meets Pope
Pope John Paul II talks with His Holiness the Dalai Lama at the Vatican, Thursday, Nov. 27, 2003. (AP Photo/Osservatore Romano) |
Vatican City, 27 November: His Holiness the Dalai Lama met with Pope John Paul II here today for the eighth time. His Holiness expressed his great admiration and appreciation for the Pope for his steadfast contribution to world peace as well as promotion of closer and better understanding among various religions. His Holiness also congratulated the Pope on completion of the 25th year of his papacy. His Holiness observed that the Pope was mentally alert despite his frail look as he clearly remembered the gathering of world religious leaders at Assissi, near Rome in 1986 at which His Holiness the Dalai Lama also participated.
His Holiness told reporters that they both share certain similarities in their background like the experience of having lived under communist rule.
Mr. Ignazio Larussa, leader of the National Alliance Party, a member of the coalition Government in Italy, also met with His Holiness and assured his party’s moral support. He said that their Parliamentary members in the EU supported the recent resolution on Tibet. He was accompanied by Mr. Mareo Zacchera, MP, and a member of the Italian Parliamentary Group for Tibet.
His Holiness also met with Marcello Pera, President of the Senate. Mr. Pera said it was a great honour and pleasure for him to welcome His Holiness to the Italian Senate. He also stated that he admires His Holiness for what he is doing and his mission to promote human values, closer understanding among religions and Tibetan cause.
The Italian Parliamentary Group for Tibet hosted a luncheon reception in honour of His Holiness.
Later in the day, His Holiness granted several TV interviews on questions related to Tibet, Buddhism, terrorism and His Holiness’ meeting with the Pope.
His Holiness remarked that it was very important to help improve the rights of workers in China which represents a huge workforce of the country. His Holiness was talking to two leaders of the Italian National Trade Union. They brought to His Holiness’ attention the efforts they are making to bring about labour reforms in China and also their support for Tibet.
A report sent by Office of Tibet, Geneva
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