Pray for Pope, Arroyo tells people

In her weekly radio interview, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo made a fresh call to Filipino people, regardless of religious beliefs and political persuasions, to pray for the ailing Pope John Paul II, who is scheduled to visit the Philippines early next year.

The Vatican has chosen the Philippines as the site of next year's World Meeting of Families, which will be officiated by the Pope. The year 2003 celebration is dubbed "The Christian Family: Good News for the Third Millennium."

She said the Pope has expressed his interest to visit the Philippines "a year ago" and that "it is a great honour for us, if God allows the Pope to come and visit us. But lately, his health has been very bad. He brings blessings every time he visits us here," Arroyo said in her call for goodwill and prayers for the recovery of the Pope.

Arroyo recalled that in a courtesy call of Papal Nuncio in Malacañang, the Bishop Franco had conveyed the Pope's support and prayers for the Philippines and his desire to see the Philippines early in 2003.