NEWS & VIEWS
from a CATHOLIC perspective

      VATICAN (CWNews.com) -- During his public audience on Wednesday, September 30, Pope John Paul II met with representatives of an Italian organization dedicated to AIDS awareness.

      The Italian press, which generally takes a discreet approach to the Pope's meetings with AIDS sufferers, did take note that the Holy Father embraced several people who were known to be HIV-positive. Reporters pointed out that this was not the first such encounter: one of the photos featured most prominently in Italian papers during the reign of John Paul II has been the picture of the Pope kissing a baby who was suffering from AIDS in a hospital ward in San Francisco.

      Rosaria Iarpino, a spokesman for the AIDS group, told reporters, "We did not expect such a warm welcome; he was just like a real father."

      The group had asked Pope John Paul to urge more government action to protect AIDS sufferers from discrimination. They also called for action to ensure that HIV-positive individuals could remain in the workforce.

      The Pope in his turn asked the AIDS patients to "feel Jesus at your side, and through your hope bear witness to the life-giving power of his Cross."