Pope's Greetings to Prime Minister of New Zealand

VATICAN CITY, MAY 21, 2004 (Zenit.org).- Here is the greetings that John Paul II addressed today to Helen Clark, prime minister of New Zealand.

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Prime Minister,

I am happy to welcome you to the Vatican and through you to greet the people of your nation. New Zealanders have always cherished the fundamental values of freedom, justice and peace. Indeed, in the face of aggression or threat, they have generously sought to defend and promote such rights in the Pacific and beyond.

Today, in our world so troubled by the scourge of racial divisions and conflict, I encourage you and your fellow citizens to foster dialogue. In acknowledging the fundamental God-given dignity of every person, dialogue leads to a recognition of diversity while opening the mind to the mutual acceptance and genuine collaboration demanded by the human family's basic vocation to unity.

Upon you and all the people of New Zealand, I cordially invoke the abundant blessings of Almighty God.

ENDS

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